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The Hindu
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Queer Fiesta 2025 brings pride, performance and community together
Rohan Dutta Colour, music, and self-expression filled Phoenix Arena on Sunday as the sixth edition of Queer Fiesta unfolded, drawing more than 800 people from Hyderabad and nearby cities. Organised by Mobbera Foundation in collaboration with Pride Fund, the event stood out as one of the city's biggest Pride Month gatherings this year. Queer Fiesta has become an annual celebration of queer creativity, entrepreneurship and visibility. This year carried extra significance as Mobbera Foundation marked its tenth anniversary of activism and community building. Reflecting on this journey, Mobbera president Anil said the city had witnessed remarkable change in the past decade. From the fear of Section 377 to trans-persons facing police harassment, the community has seen struggle and discrimination. 'Today the same Hyderabad police is recruiting transpersons. This is real change and this year we are celebrating that transformation,' they said. Anil added that Queer Fiesta symbolises unity that cuts across religion, caste, gender and politics, a gathering where the LGBTQIA+ community could freely eat, shop, perform and assert its presence. 'We are not a minuscule minority that you can ignore anymore,' he said. 'Every June, we bring together queer artists and entrepreneurs to create this space. It is more than celebration, it is about visibility, belonging and pride,' said Sandy, former president of Mobbera Foundation. The festival featured 22 stalls offering art, pottery, fashion and accessories, alongside 16 stage performances that spanned drag, classical and tribal dance, poetry and music. Hyderabad's celebrated drag performer and classical dancer Patruni Sastry headlined the show, blending tradition with drag to loud cheers from the crowd. Other performers - Harsha Maheshwari, Chandu, Khemaya, Ayna, Lucky Naini, Satya and Sridhar - added to the vibrant lineup. For many stall owners, the event was not just a marketplace but a space for connection and visibility. 'It is not just selling, it is connecting with the community,' said Nitin of Soma Pottery, who showcased handcrafted ceramics. The open-air arena was lively with stalls on all sides and a central stage where classical dancers and poets performed. Queer attendees and allies mingled freely, enjoying the inclusive atmosphere. 'This is my fifth year at Queer Fiesta. I keep coming back because here I can truly be myself,' said one regular visitor. Another added, 'It is clearly bigger this year, a lot more people, like hundreds more. It is my second visit here and the difference is amazing.' As the sun set on Phoenix Arena, Queer Fiesta 2025 stood out as a space of joy, freedom and unity, a growing symbol of Hyderabad's thriving queer culture. (The writer is an intern at The Hindu)
CBC
28-05-2025
- General
- CBC
First St. Margaret's Bay Pride festival aims to connect 2SLGBTQ+ people and fight hate
Social Sharing What began as a small group of friends looking to connect 2SLGBTQ+ people in their community has turned into a 15-person organizing committee for St. Margaret's Bay Pride's first festival. The Pride organization was formed earlier in 2025 and serves communities in the St. Margarets Bay area just outside Halifax. "One of the things that we've noticed since living here is that there isn't a lot of visibility around 2SLGBTQ Pride," said Tania Cheng, one of the organizers, who moved to the area about four years ago and previously lived in Toronto. "Especially in rural areas … folks can feel potentially more isolated." Cheng, along with their wife and friends, wanted to change that. The new Pride organization has been inviting businesses and groups in the St. Margarets Bay area to be involved in the Pride festival. They've received many positive responses, said Cheng. "It just goes to show that there is a need and an interest for this here." More than a dozen events are planned for June and July, with most being free and family-friendly. A trail walk to the Hubbards Barn, which will host a picnic and market, will close out the festival on July 26. The organization is being supported by the Rural Communities Foundation of Nova Scotia, a registered charity that recently launched a Rural Pride Fund. The fund allows new Pride groups that are not formally incorporated to receive individual donations and sponsorships through the foundation, without the need to try to administer the money themselves. "That introduces a lot of extra challenges," said Erika Rolston, executive director of the foundation. As examples, she pointed to questions around whose bank account money would sit in, or potential issues with the Canada Revenue Agency. "This helps put some of that infrastructure in place so that those … groups can just set about the business of organizing the Pride activities," said Rolston, who is also queer. "Ideally, it will give … organizers sort of the breathing space to build the momentum that they need to in their community activities." Rolston said the goal is for organizations to eventually become incorporated, with the fund serving as a support in the early stages. For Cheng, fighting escalating hate toward queer and trans communities is another reason to do the work of starting a Pride organization and staging events. "St. Margarets Bay … can be a welcoming and inclusive place for folks to live," she said.
