Awadh Queer Pride is an annual event held in Lucknow, India. [1] [2] It was first held on 9 April 2017, and in the years since has also been held in February and March. [3] [4] It is organized by the Awadh Queer Pride Committee (AQPC), which is made up of volunteers. [2] [5]
Awadh Queer Pride was inspired by the first Pride Parade in India, Kolkata Pride, on 2 July 1999. [3] [6]
The event began with a pride parade in 2017, which was organized by members of the city’s LGBTQIA+ community and led by Darvesh Singh Yadvendra. [3] [7] The parade was attended by approximately 300 people, including heterosexual allies and parents of LGBTQIA+ individuals. [3] [8] The walk started from Sikandar Bagh and continued for 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) until terminating at Hazratganj. [7]
Approximately 400 people attended the second Awadh Queer Pride Walk in 2018. [9]
In 2021, actresses Ridhi Dogra and Monica Dogra were invited to the event due to their work on the show The Married Woman. [10]