Chennai Rainbow Pride

Chennai has marched every June since 2009 — the Vaanavil Perani, or Self-Respect Rainbow March, a name that ties queer liberation to Tamil Nadu's own anti-caste Self-Respect movement. Expect a thousands-strong walk on the last Sunday of June with thappattam drums, trans-community leadership front and centre, and a Pride month of talks, screenings (the Reel Desires queer film festival runs in August) and open mics around it. It's one of India's most politically rooted Prides — less circuit party, more movement — and the city is warmer for it.