Mumbai Pride Month: Celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community throughout this January with these events

FILE PIC/KIRTI SURVE PARADE

While most of us enjoy a jolly good time in December, the month can be very difficult for most in the queer community. Family gatherings, Christmas parties, festivities, all become grounds for rejection and homophobia. That's why Mumbai Queer Pride, along with all recognisable queer collectives in the city, including Gaysi Family, Yaariyan, Hamsafar Trust, bring us Mumbai Pride Month in January this year.

Moderator and trans rep for Mumbai Queer Pride Christina Evers says, "We genuinely bring a mix of activism with community engagement and fun." With 15+ events happening throughout this month, leading up to the finale - the Pride Parade - here's what you absolutely cannot miss this year.

January calls for some Jaadu ki Jhappi

FILE PIC/ISTOCK

This Pride month opens with an event called ‘Queer Hugs' on January 4. "Hugs are like medicine for everyone. No matter how hard your day has been, a hug always helps," says Evers, when asked what the inspiration behind the event was. We can't think of a better way to start the year ourselves.

Come out, arts and culture geeks

"This year's line up of events is filled with film screenings and art shows dedicated to showcasing the works of queer artistes," Evers tells us. KASHISH Arts Foundation is hosting an art show at Sophia College on January 9, followed by Gaysi Family's queer ‘Film Screening' on January 10. On January 18, there's the ‘Colours of Love - Queer Film Festival' at Drama Drafting Studio in Versova.

Sporting looks and bats

FILE PIC/GETTY IMAGES

Pride month is the time to showcase truly how inclusive the queer community is. The Hamsafar Trust presents "Queer Premiere League" which is a sporting event at SportingLions Sports Turf, Bandra on January 11. "This is one of the most interesting events we have. We have sports and games." Mainstream sports often overlook the queer community and its various talents for play. There's also the problem of rampant homophobia and transphobia within sports teams and events. This event is an effort to recognise that talent and create a safe space to see it nurtured.

Your network is your net worth

"On January 16, Qonnect is organising gathering events where the queer community can network, get together, meet new people and mingle," says Evers. The concept of a chosen family is vital for the survival of the queer community, and events such as this help young queer folk find this family. On January 17, Keshav Suri Foundation is also organising ‘The Healing Circle' at the Lalit, Mumbai. As the name suggests, the event is to help queer people lighten their load and hold space with each other.

The grand parade for 365-party-girls

All the events line up to January 31, when the Pride Parade will take place at August Kranti Maidan. "The queer community will light up January and bring all the colours to Mumbai. Love can never be black and white, and so we bring the colour. Love is always colourful," says Evers. The Parade is followed by four different after parties. "This is Mumbai and we're a big community," laughs Evers, "One place will simply not fit all of us. So wherever you are, you can pick where you want to go."