LGBT community walk at Connaught Place in Delhi

CP gives a reluctant jhappi to queer group: Harmless Hugs, a group of supporters and members of the LGBT community, recently went around CP giving free hugs.

They got many hugs in return, but only a handful of them came without any initial hesitation as the members had to prod most Delhiites for a friendly cuddle. Nonetheless, the group was overjoyed with whatever they got.

We don't bite. well, unless asked to! About 35 members of the group started their journey from Block A and took a round of the inner circle. In the hour-long walk, the members drew attention by shouting slogans like 'We don't spread AIDS', 'Hey I am queer, I am here', 'We don't bite' (to which someone added 'well, unless asked to', in a lower decibel) and showed placards that read, 'I am gay, will you hug me'. Sourav, a Gurgaon-based photographer, said, "We only seek a little acceptance." Vinay Kumar, the founder of the group, said, "I borrowed this idea from Lage Raho Munna Bhai. I believe that what protests can't do for us, such walks can."

Youngsters receive us with open arms, others don't: Aastha, an HR professional who hugged Manjira, an LGBT community member, said, "If we cannot make a straight man have sex with another man, then how can we force homosexuals to behave like straight people?" Not many were as quick as Aastha to embrace the participants of the walk. Shefali Sinha, a visitor from Lucknow who was hesitant to hug initially, said, "I had never seen anything like this. It took me some time to react. In smaller towns, you can't even talk about it, let alone coming out of the closet. I know someone who is gay and people treat him really badly." While some above 50 years of age showed solidarity by hugging the young community members, others had a clear point of view - yeh galat hai. "I hugged the kid because she sought my blessings but yeh sab prakriti ke khilaaf hai," argued Balveer Singh, a businessman.

Firangs were welcoming: Foreigners strolling around CP showed more eagerness to hug the members. Anna from California said, "Same-sex marriages were made legal in the US recently. We are all for gay rights. I hope in India too gay marriages are made legal." Shani, an Israeli tourist, said, "Gay marriages are illegal in our country but there is more awareness about homosexuality in Israel."