The British High Commission and British Council hosted a special event in Delhi on Sunday evening to commemorate Pride Month and celebrate the LGBT+ community worldwide. The British Council Delhi celebration included grassroots champions in India, such as Inside Out Delhi and the Humsafar Trust, members of the city's LGBT+ community, and supporters from all walks of life. An art exhibition by celebrated British queer artist Howard Hodgkin, who collaborated with renowned Indian architect Charles Correa to design the iconic black and white mural that adorns the front of the British Council building, was also featured at the event.
Similar events are planned for the UK in India network in June, including receptions in Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Jodhpur. The United Kingdom is dedicated to championing LGBT+ rights around the world and ensuring that everyone, everywhere is protected from discrimination.
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"I feel extremely proud to join so many like-minded people from across this wonderful city in celebrating the LGBT+ community," said Christina Scott, Acting British High Commissioner to India. "The United Kingdom believes that everyone, everywhere, should be free to love whom they want and express themselves openly without fear of discrimination. Today, we celebrate love and honour everyone who works to ensure full, equal, and meaningful participation for all people from all walks of life," she was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
"The British Council believes in the importance of diversity and inclusion," said Michael Houlgate, Deputy Director, British Council India.
"Our dedication is evident in our celebration of Pride Month as well as our work in English, education, and the arts. We are dedicated to providing empowering platforms for the LGBTQIA+ community to authentically express themselves and unite in support of love and equality," he said, according to ANI.