Mumbai: Mumbai's first Gay pride parade is just hours away, but India's first official entry to the Mr Gay International contest is still in the United States, fearing discrimination if he returns home.
Parag Zoltan Bhaindarkar (26), who first spoke to MiD DAY on the eve of the contest this January ('I don't want my parents to suffer', Jan 21), is seeking asylum in New York. "When the contest was going on and he received a lot of media attention, he called me from Miami. He was crying because he didn't know what would happen next. Before he left for the competition in California, his parents knew nothing of his sexuality. I don't think they're still clued in," said a friend in Mumbai, on condition of anonymity.
As a result, Parag, who participated in the New York Gay Pride 2008 march in June, will miss the first such parade in his hometown. Incidentally, the gay parade coincides with Parag's birthday.
In New York, Parag, who now goes only by the name Zoltan, said, "I am not really happy discussing my personal life with anyone at this point."
Said Nitin Karani, gay activist and chief organiser of the march, "The aim of the parade is to embolden gays like Parag to open up to their loved ones for a start at least. We're really enthusiastic and are hoping that the rally is a great success." The participants will march from August Kranti Maidan to Girgaum Chowpatty.
Meanwhile, Zoltan's effort to build confidence in the community has started paying off. "We have begun to recruit for the 2009 Mr Gay International and it looks like we have several new candidates from India who have expressed an interest in participating in the competition," said Don Spradlin, executive producer for the event that will take place in February next year.
Today's parade
The city's lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender community, along with hordes of 'straight' supporters will gather at the August Kranti Maidan at Gowalia Tank at 3 pm today.
They will then undertake a two-hour march towards Girgaum Chowpatty. They have chosen today as Queer Azadi Divas.
