HE Indian capital's first gay and lesbian parade began in typical style for the country - chaotic, vibrant and a tad disorganised.
After a delayed start and a last-minute change to the meeting area, about 300 people gathered for a two-kilometre walk through the heart of the city.
"This is a great day for India," said Ravi, who waved a rainbow flag madly through the procession. "This is not just for us, this is for everyone in the country."
The parade was co-ordinated with similar marches in Kolkata and Bangalore to mark the anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York that sparked the gay rights movement in the US in 1969.
But while tens of thousands of people turned out on Sunday to celebrate San Francisco's 38th Gay Pride march, and the legalisation of same-sex marriage in California, in India discrimination against gays and lesbians remains common.
Many of those marching in New Delhi wore masks that were provided, or made their own, for fear of reprisal from their community as well as their family.
One marcher, Vaskar, said: "I wear a mask because my family does not know I am gay. I am an only child and it is my duty to the family for me to have children. I hope that one day no one will have to wear masks."
Chaotic steps forward for gay rights in India
Sydney Morning Herald, Australia
Also:
Gay pride march debuts in Delhi BBC News
Hundreds March in India for Gay Rights Washington Post
Behind masks or out and loud: gay marchers break new ground guardian.co.uk
ABC Online - TIME
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