Pune Pride March 2025 is all set to take place on June 1 with eight organisations joining hands -- MIST LGBTQ Foundation, Qutcast Pune, Shikhandi, Pune Queer Sports Club, Muktaa Foundation, NHRD Foundation, Girl Up Jeevika and Manthan Foundation.

For the first time, the festivities extend beyond the march. First, on May 17, which coincides with the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), a 'free hugs' event will be held at Kalakar Katta on FC Road.

Over the course of the week, Punekars can look forward to diverse programmes, including film screenings, panel discussions on crucial issues, workshops focusing on skill-building or well-being, inclusive sports events like friendly matches or fun runs, art exhibitions showcasing queer talent, cultural performances and community mixers.

Speaking about the events, Shyam Konnur, Founder and CEO, Mist LGBTQ Foundation, said, "Pune Pride is a powerful assertion of visibility, dignity and rights for the LGBTQIA+ community. It is more than a march -- it's a collective space of assertion, celebration and solidarity where queer individuals can live their truths without fear. Pune Pride creates a safe, affirming environment for community members to come together, raise their voices against systemic discrimination, and demand inclusion, justice, and equity."

"It is also a critical platform to engage the larger public and allies in conversations around queer rights, challenge stigma and stereotypes, and push for meaningful social change. Pride is protest, pride is power, and pride is ours," Konnur added.

"Pride is not just a celebration -- it's a declaration that every individual deserves to live with dignity and without fear. At Manthan Foundation, we honour the strength of the LGBTQA+ community and commit to creating spaces where everyone belongs. Through our community outreach, we strive to build understanding, break stigmas, and foster a culture of empathy where neighbours become allies and every identity is embraced with love and respect," said Asha Bhatt, President, Manthan Foundation.

Aishwarya Singh, Psychotherapist, Co-founder, ReStory, commented, "As a therapist, I believe that personal is political and this world has a history of diagnosing queer lives. They witness the atrocities happening to us. In such a world, being our true selves and showing up queer is the ultimate form of protest. This pride is a protest to all those witnesses and to those who take our basic rights away from us. Our happiness and our pain is all sacred."