Hyderabad: The Interfaith Pride Fest 2026, held in Madhapur, was more than just a Pride Month gathering. It served as a platform for conversations on faith, caste, accessibility, gender, and queer identities. Organized by Rubaroo and Dragvanti, the event featured discussions, storytelling, performances, and reflections on identity and inclusion.
Rediscovering Queer Stories in Faith Traditions
One of the artists, Aeina (They/Them), a classical Kathak dancer, said, "There are many queer stories within faith traditions that have been forgotten over time. Today is about understanding those stories again."
Faith Across Caste: A Key Discussion
A major discussion of the evening, titled 'Faith Across Caste', explored how religion and caste shape social exclusion. Speaker Deepti noted that many young people now view religion negatively. "My children are growing up seeing only the negative side of religion because there is more exclusivity and exclusion than inclusion these days," Deepti said. She argued that discussions on caste and religion are ultimately about challenging unequal systems of power and privilege. "When we talk about dismantling caste and religion, we are also talking about dismantling power, privilege, access, and hierarchy. The goal is to create a society that is more inclusive and fair for everyone," she added.
Accessibility and Disability
The event also highlighted the experiences of persons with disabilities. During a discussion on accessibility, speaker Priya, who has Achondroplasia, said, "Accessibility is the most talked about thing because there is no accessibility anywhere. I keep thinking about how to reach spaces which are not accessible."
Community and Solidarity
Another major theme of the festival was the importance of community and solidarity. Phoenix, a non-binary activist working at the intersection of queer rights, mental health, sexual health, and human rights, reflected on the role of collective support. "We have always collectively had fun, cried, shared food together, and supported one another. That is the only way forward, being together as a community," they said.
A Message for Pride Month
Marking Pride Month, Aeina shared a message for members of the LGBTQIA+ community. "Do not be afraid of being yourself. The world is different, and you are also different, and being different is a part of nature. Start to accept yourself and respect everyone," they said.
