Amidst reports of a gradual shrinking of cultural, liberal and intellectual space where books, writers, movies and intellectuals are slowly being silenced, either through straight out violence or more covert means, Mumbai’s gay pride march has got the green signal yet again. The march is slated to be held today afternoon. It begins as usual from August Kranti Maidan, near Gowalia Tank winding its way to Opera House and returning to the start point.

This march, symbolic though it may be, is becoming a part of Mumbai’s ethos. The Pride Walk of Mumbai may be tepid in comparison to some countries in the West, where floats, commercial business and dykes on bikes are all part of the pomp and pageantry in Pride Week, where bodies and sexuality become as much a display, as a statement of defiance. While Mumbai may still be a long way away from a statement of this magnitude, it is important that the event does occupy pride (pun intended) of place in the cultural calendar.