User talk:Souvik Ekamebadwitiyam

Kolkata Rainbow Pride Festival (KRPF): Solidarity, Art and Sexuality for Dignity and Equality

Kolkata Rainbow Pride Festival (KRPF) is an open collective of individuals, networks and organizations, which believes that sexuality is a key element of human existence, fulfillment and enjoyment. They hold that no individual, community or section of society should face stigma, discrimination or violence because of their gender and sexuality.

Woman, man, transgender, gay, straight, lesbian, bisexual, Hijra, Kothi or none of these, old or young, single or married, each person has a right to their sexuality along with a responsibility to respect another’s sexuality. This is an ideal embedded in our constitutional principles.

KRPF strives for greater understanding of the entire spectrum of human sexuality and aims to generate dialogue on diverse expressions of gender identity, sexual orientation, sexual identity, sexual and romantic relations as also associated socio-economic issues like health, education, law and the domain of work.

KRPF deploys a variety of art forms, media and mass awareness activities to generate the dialogue necessary to achieve its objectives. As a “festival”, it is not limited to any one date or time period during the year. Rather, it is a celebration of events spread through the year on dates of commemorative significance.

KRPF was formed on May 1, 2011 at the first meeting to plan the Kolkata Rainbow Pride Festival 2011. While based in Kolkata, the festival is not limited to participation from the city alone. Inclusiveness is the collective’s mantra – all are welcome who agree with KRPF’s objectives and want to volunteer time, skills, ideas, legwork, funds and other resources. KRPF also plans to collaborate with other community or civil society initiatives similar to its own.

KRPF raises funds and resources through fund raiser events, individual donations, and sponsorships by organizations. Donors and sponsors may be members or supporters.

KRPF acknowledges and honours all its contributors, but only in a manner deemed neutral by the entire collective. KRPF is not a forum to promote an individual or organization’s agenda.

KRPF’s activities include:

a) Annual Kolkata Rainbow Pride Walk – usually held in late June or early July to mark Stonewall Riots Day (June 27-29, 1969) and / or the Delhi High Court ruling on Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (July 2, 2009) b) Art exhibitions of paintings, photographs, handicrafts c) Film screenings d) Media interface e) Fund raiser parties at friendly venues (three or four in a year), with a code of conduct to ensure safety and respect for all participants, venue owners and their neighbours

On the cards:

a) Performing arts shows based on elocution, dance and theatre b) Poster making c) Fashion shows d) Sports events e) Food fairs and picnics f) Flash mob