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Mumbai Pride Brings Parents Of LGBT Indians Out Of The Closet

Saturday was the eighth annual Mumbai Pride parade, when more than 5,000 celebrants marched from August Kranti Maidan down Grant Road and Nana Chowk.

According to DNA India, parents and family members comprised a sizable contingent of Queer Azaadi Mumbai, as the event is officially known. That's a stark contrast from only a few years ago, when most paradegoers wore masks to hide their identities (some still do).

Sushant Divgikar, who competed in the Mr. Gay World contest last year, said he wanted "all parents of LGBTQ children” to be like his father, Pradip, who joined him the march.

"It took me a few years to accept the reality that my son is gay,” said one mother. "Initially, I used to curse him, but gradually I learned to accept him. It's every parents' dream to have a grand wedding for their child and I want the same."

In 2009, an Indian court threw out section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, a holdover from British colonialism that criminalized homosexuality.

But in December 2013, the Supreme Court of India overturned the earlier decision and re-criminalized gay sex.

h/t: Gay Star News, photos: Sandeep/Mumbai Pride

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