Take back Trans Act: Mumbai Trans community

The Mumbai Pride this year saw voices raised against the Transgender (Protection of Rights) Act 2019 by the city's transgender community, led by the Rainbow Angels, Thane Queer Collective (TQC) and Transistance.

The Pride this year witnessed a 60 feet long transgender flag as well as organized speeches on the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2019.

Queer Pride marches have been held annually in Mumbai since 2005, however, it got its official name Queer Azaadi March in 2008. Since then, the LGBTQI+ community in Mumbai has been participating in this annual event.

Last year, the Pride March had a specific focus on the celebration of the reading down of Article 377.

Rainbow Angels, a gender-positive and inclusive group, transgender-led groups Thane Queer Collective and Transistance, reclaimed the 2020 Queer Azadi march through the flag, speeches focusing on the transgressions oppressing the community and an overall emphasis on gender variance.

Commenting on the initiative Rohini Mondal, Founder of Rainbow Angels said: "Our aim has also been to make spaces safe and inclusive for all trans people. We invited trans and gender-variant people from across the country to be part of this great movement. This year, we want to reclaim Pride and make it known that while there has been social progression for our gay, lesbian and bisexual peers post 377, the trans community continues its long struggle against the regressive Trans Act 2019."

Dan and Kris, co-founders of Thane Queer Collective, spoke on the purpose of reclaiming Pride. He said: "Pride is considered as a safe haven for most people from the LGBTQI+ community. However, year-after-year only the concerns and issues of cisgender people have taken center stage. Now, more than ever, we need trans voices at the forefront of these marches, in light of the atrocious Trans Act 2019, which has disempowered transgender, non-binary, and intersex people from living authentic lives. We hope to see positive support from our allies in Mumbai, moving forward."

( With inputs from IANS )