Three Days in June (and Year-Round Pride)
by Carlea Bauman
Sambhali Trust held an array of Pride Month events that brought the LGBTQIA+ community and allies together and increased visibility throughout Jodhpur. The three-day celebration was part of Sambhali Trust’s Garima Project, which provides support, education, access to physical and mental healthcare, shelter, and vocational training for members of the queer community.
As stated so beautifully in Sambhali Trust’s report on this year’s Pride activities:
Over the course of three impactful days, Sambhali Trust's
Pride celebration convened through individuals; each
playing a vital role in advancing the cause of inclusion,
dignity, and visibility for the LGBTQIA+ community.
From cultural exploration and artistic expression to open
dialogue and joyful celebration, the event served as a
powerful reminder that Pride is not merely an annual
observance, but an ongoing movement for equality, acceptance, and empowerment.
Day 1 started with a guided tour of the Umaid Bhawan Palace, one of the grandest and most opulent palaces in all of India. “Our presence represents a symbolic reclamation of public space by the LGBTQIA+ community,” stated the report. “We walked through the majestic halls not only as tourists, but as proud individuals asserting our place in history and society.” This activity was followed by an arts and crafts session where participants decorated t-shirts and made posters celebrating identity, pride, resilience, and hope. The day ended with a night of live music performed by LGBTQIA+ artists.
The second day began with a press conference led by Sambhali Trust founder Govind Rathore where he discussed the importance of inclusion, legal rights, and visibility. Afterward, they held a workshop on gender identity, sexual orientation, and sexual health. The day closed out with another evening of live music, this time celebrating Rajasthan’s cultural roots while also integrating queer voices. “The folk music performance created a beautiful fusion of tradition and contemporary identity, showing that pride and culture can coexist and strengthen each other,” said Govind.
The grand finale, day 3, saw the streets of Jodhpur come alive as Sambhali Trust led Western Rajasthan’s only Pride Parade. Over 200 members of the LGBTQIA+ community waved rainbow flags and homemade signs as they wound their way throughout the city, announcing themselves and their conviction to no longer live in the shadows.
“It cannot be overstated how important it is for the LGBTQIA+ community to have this type of visibility in an area of the world where their voices are frequently silenced, often violently,” said Shereen Arent, President of Sambhali U.S. “Sambhali Trust works year-round to empower the community through its Garima Project. During these three days in June, the fruits of that labor burst outward, reaching new eyes and enabling new understanding.”
Read more about Sambhali Trust Pride here.