Pune Pride 2025: Youth Lead the March for Equality and Acceptance
By Kajal Bhukan
Shivajinagar, 1st June 2025: “Love is love no matter who you are or whom you love.” That message rang loud and proud through Pune’s streets on Sunday as the city joined global Pride Month celebrations with a vibrant and inclusive Pride Rally.
The event kicked off at 4 p.m. from Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Garden and moved through Deccan Gymkhana, Goodluck Chowk, and FC Road. The streets came alive with rainbow flags, upbeat music, handmade placards, and passionate chants. It wasn’t just a celebration of identity it was a call for recognition, equality, and change.
Pride as Protest
“Pride means protest a protest for equal rights,” said Anil, a member of the organizing team. “The objective behind organizing this parade is to create awareness about the diverse members of our society. People are naturally curious; when they see an event like this, they ask questions, search online, and begin to understand. That’s how awareness spreads.”
He also underlined the importance of equal legal rights. “The LGBTQIA+ community has long been on the receiving end of harassment, bullying, and institutional discrimination. I want our people to have the same rights to inheritance, marriage, and adoption as any other citizen. We are requesting equal rights, not preferential treatment.
Pride as Liberation
For others, the rally was about personal expression and visibility. “For me, Pride is liberation,” said Ash, a participant from Lucknow. “This rally isn’t just about celebration it’s about helping people understand that the LGBTQIA+ community exists, matters, and deserves the same respect as anyone else.”
Many attendees were joining for the first time some out and proud, others still exploring their identities, all united by the common desire to be seen and heard.
A Shift in Mindset
India’s younger generation is driving social change, and events like Pune’s Pride Rally reflect this transformation. What was once considered taboo being gay, bisexual, or non-binary is increasingly accepted among younger generations. Conversations around gender identity and sexual orientation are becoming more visible in both urban and digital spaces.
This shift is also influenced by global content on OTT platforms, where LGBTQIA+ characters are portrayed with empathy and authenticity. “We grew up watching queer characters who were either mocked or hidden. Now we see them as leads, as heroes, as human,” said a 21-year-old college student attending the rally.
More Than a March
June is celebrated around the world as Pride Month, a time to honor the LGBTQIA+ community and consider the obstacles it still faces in Pune, the rally became a vibrant display of unity and resistance. Signs reading “Love Wins,” “No Pride Without Justice,” dotted the procession.
While an exact headcount wasn’t available, organizers estimated a turnout of over 500 participants making it one of the city’s most impactful Pride events in recent years.
Looking Ahead
Despite growing acceptance in urban areas like Pune, challenges remain particularly in smaller towns and rural regions. In India, adoption rights, anti-discrimination safeguards, and legal acceptance of same-sex marriage are still pending. But events like this rally are proof that change is underway.
As the sun set on the colorful procession, one truth stood tall among the rainbow flags.
Pride is a demand for change rather than only a celebration. And in Pune, that call is louder than ever.
