CHENNAI: The third annual Rainbow Pride march will be held on June 26 this year concluding a month-long series of events highlighting concerns of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) individuals, the Chennai Rainbow Alliance announced on Saturday.Announcing the events in Chennai, activists urged parents of LGBT individuals to accept and allow them to live life on their own terms. Responding to a query on alleged health risks posed by same-sex relationships, Dr L Ramakrishnan of SAATHII (Solidarity and Action Against The HIV Infection in India) pointed out that male-to-female sexual transmissions accounted for 85 per cent of HIV cases in India, The Alliance further condemned unscientific and unethical attempts by some mental health professionals to “cure” persons of their sexual orientation through drugs and other means. Activists also urged the Supreme Court of India to uphold the Delhi High Court’s landmark verdict of 2009 decriminalising same-sex relationships in the country. The verdict was challenged in the Supreme Court by parties arguing that it could lead to legalisation of prostitution and undermine Indian family values. Meanwhile, the Pride events scheduled for June will include debates on homosexuality and family values, an LGBT performance festival, poetry readings, meeting of parents of LGBT individuals, placard and beauty contests, and film screenings culminating in the Chennai Rainbow Pride march.
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