Trikone Chicago Pride 2019: Desi. Loud. Proud

Written by Rohan Anand

There is no time like the present to be Desi. Loud. and PROUD.

On June 30, 2019, the City of Chicago will host its 50th annual Pride Parade in North Halsted, and this is a significant year as we celebrate #Stonewall50: commemorating 50 years of solidarity for the LGBTQIA community following the Stonewall Riots in New York City in June 1969.

But we're taking it even further for LGBTQIA individuals of color by representing Trikone in Chicago's Pride parade this year. 

Trikone Chicago is a registered not-for-profit organization for queer South Asians and their family, friends, allies, and community. By "South Asian" we refer to those who trace their ethnic and cultural heritage to the areas currently known as Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, and the Maldives.

We represent all colors of the rainbow: gay, lesbian, bisexual, asexual, intersex, non-binary, transgender, white, brown, black, latinx, straight, queer, you name it, we welcome it. But we want YOU to help us amp it up even more by giving South Asia its voice in the movement. 

Trikone stands for Safety, and Visibility, of the South Asian queer community. In the City of Chicago, Trikone has created a bastion for members of the community by hosting cultural nights, film festivals, literary events, awareness campaigns, pride celebrations, and a host of additional collaborative programming.

For the first time in several years, we are taking our colorful heritage, music, dance moves and love for all things South Asian to Chicago Pride. 

But it goes beyond that: of the eight countries listed above, in only two of them is same-sex activity legal. 

And one of them only recently legalized such activity, when India overturned a 2013 judgment that upheld a colonial-era law, known as section 377, under which gay sex was categorized as an "unnatural offense."

Bottom line: there are so many reasons to celebrate this year, but our work is far, far from done. 

We hope you can join us this year, and if you can't, we'd love for you to help in any way to contribute towards our march this year.  Our $1,500 campaign covers parade entry fees, a trolley, music system, and swag for over 30+ participants in this year's parade.  

By contributing to our march, you will help us continue to grow Trikone's mission of Safety and Visibility for our LGBTQIA individuals of South Asian origin, while also cultivating Trikone's Chicago chapter as a hub in the Midwest region for those of us who are Desi. Loud. and Proud. 

See you on June 30!