India vigils in memory of Orlando shooting victims
The mass shooting in Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, US, during the early hours of June 12, resonates with those of us who have faced intolerance, hatred and violence simply for being who we are. The lesbian, gay, bi, trans*, intersex, queer, ally and other (LGBTIQA+) communities in India stand in solidarity with the families, biological and chosen, of the victims of this senseless crime.
LGBTIQA+ people have always been at the receiving end of bigots from all faiths, and we register our protest against initiatives by ideologues of all stripes to use this incident to advance political and personal agendas of xenophobia and Islamophobia. Bigotry is a form of violence against a community, and we stand firmly against all attempts to make this part of a global anti-Islam narrative, just as we resist the dastardly celebration of this incident by homophobic groups.
We condemn all forms of hatred and violence, whether based on sexuality, gender, religion, caste or ethnicity.
Protests and vigils are being planned in the following cities and towns (please contact us with updates, including more events or edits for existing ones):
| City/town | Date | Time | Venue | Contacts |
| Bengaluru, Karnataka | June 14 | 5-7 pm | Town Hall | Mallu +91 95915-40181, Umesh ( Uma ) +91 85537-13148 |
| Bhubaneswar, Odisha | June 14 | 6 pm | Rajamahal Square to City Station Square | Sadhana – Sakha Foundation +91 94386-32408 |
| Chandigarh | June 14 | 6-9 pm | Sector 17 Shopping Plaza, Chandigarh |
Dhananjay Chauhan <[email protected]> |
| Chennai, Tamil Nadu | June 14 | 12.30-1.30 pm | Press Club, Chepauk, Chennai | Siva (Nirangal) +91 98406-99776, Felix (Orinam) +91 98843-73433
Coverage: The News Minute |
| Chickballapura, Karnataka | June 18 | |||
| Delhi | June 14 | 9 pm | JNU campus | |
| Ernakulam, Kerala | June 14 | 5-6 pm | Marine Drive, Ernakulam |
Marvell, Women’s Initiatives (WINS) Kerala Chapter and Queerala: |
| Guwahati, Assam | June 15 | 5.30 pm | Dighalipukhuri | Xukia +91-87528-11414, +91-95082-75418, +91-96134-41230 |
| Hyderabad, Telangana | June 14 | 7.15 pm | Outside Gachibowli Stadium | +91 99851-24630 |
| Imphal, Manipur | June 14 | 5.30 pm | New Checkon, Rajabani Road, Imphal (outside SAATHII office) | Santa Khurai +91 84159-25251 |
| Jaipur, Rajasthan | June 15 | 7 pm | Statue Circle, near Vidhan Sabha | Pushpa – Naibhor +91 98292-91377 |
| Kolar, Karnataka | June 16 | |||
| Kolkata, West Bengal | TBA | |||
| Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh | June 18 | 7.30-8.30 pm | Gandhi Pratima, GPO Park, Lucknow | |
| Mumbai, Maharashtra | June 14 | 6.30 – 8.00 PM | Humsafar Trust, 3rd.Floor, Manthan Plaza, Nehru Road, Vakola, Santacruz (East), MUMBAI 400,055. |
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| Mumbai, Maharashtra | June 16 | 4 pm | Azad Maidan, near CST,Mumbai | Link |
| Patna, Bihar | June 14, 2016 | 7 pm | Gandhi Maidan to Red Cross, Patna | Reshma – DostanaSafar +91 84098-34552. |
| Raichur, Karnataka | June 18 |
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