As the Gay Pride March took a brief halt near Kasturba Gandhi Marg, a middle-aged woman stood at a distance carrying the placard that read “Proud to be a Mother”. One of many parents there in support of their children, did she feel apprehensive? “Not at all,” she said, “awareness creates an understanding that being gay is not unnatural.”

The 2009 Annual Gay Pride March was marked by this spirit of reconciliation. Bisexuals and transgenders had, in earlier years, felt marginalised by this movement. But this year, they were out in full strength. Kiran, 30, from the transgender community, was delighted. “We are one soul, one thought,” she said, “together, we are stronger.”

The march could not be dismissed as detached upper-class activism either — the participants came from the villages of Khanpur, Kapashera and Ashram and the elite neighbourhoods of Defence Colony and Jangpura.

Mohammad Akhtar, a tailor, had come all the way from Mumbai. A participant in pride rallies across the country, he has never seen such fervour. Lost for words, all he could say was, “Bahut accha lag raha hai.”

The gathering had also been enthused by reports that came in on Saturday that the government was considering repealing Section 377 of the IPC, decriminalising homosexuality. There was an air of optimism and the sense that, after years of hard work, victory was near.

Pulapre Balakrishnan, who has been part of the movement for 15 years, said: “The government’s reaction has been very positive. This has been long overdue.” Fashion designer Suneet Verma was ebullient. “Bravo to the new government and the sensitivity they have shown,” he said.

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