Goa's first Rainbow Pride wants locals to open mind to LGBTs

Despite its reputation as a cosmopolitan, tourism hub, Goa is not really fair on the local LGBT community, an organiser of the state's first Rainbow Pride Walk, scheduled to be held on Saturday, has said.

Speaking to IANS on Tuesday Alexander Fernandes, a former IT professional, who is one of the key organisers of the parade, also said that the Walk would help create awareness about LGBT issues locally.

"Goa is considered as a very popular tourism spot globally. The state is considered open-minded. Actually speaking, Goa is not open-minded. They are okay with foreigners with LGBT sexual orientation, but not with their own. Goans should learn to accept their own children and their sexual orientation," Fernandes said.

"They need to get aware of all these things. They don't want to openly come and discuss about it. This pride will hopefully help to set the ball rolling," the organiser said.

The Walk is scheduled to be held on October 28 afternoon, through the picturesque Panaji riverside boulevard. Apart from the rally itself, there will also be a film festival, pre and post -Pride party as well as a fashion show hosted by the organisers stretching through October 27 to 29.

Fernandes said that while efforts were made to host the LGBT Pride in the past, lack of sponsorship and local traction put paid to the efforts.

Despite Goa being a popular destination for organised LGBT tours, Fernandes says that there are only a few places which are actually "gay-friendly" along the tourism-oriented coastal belt.

Even some of the most popular nightclubs in the state have an issue with people of LGBT orientation, he said.

"If there is someone of LGBT orientation who is feminine, they look at us in a weird way," Fernandes said.

"We do get support from families, but we need support from society. If people look at someone queer, gay or transsexual, they have a different thought. They think we are only here for sex," Fernandes said.

--IANS

maya/rn