A Rainbow Summer

THIS SUMMER, IN THE CITY WHERE I lIVe, the rainbow flags are everywhere — up in the alleys, on top of buildings, and even outside the important-looking official buildings.

- NITIN CHAUDHARY

It’s not just the flags; the doors of the buildings have been painted in rainbow colours and so are the benches on the walking street. The rainbow flag is a symbol of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community (together referred to as the ‘LGBTI+’ community). Both Malmö in Sweden, and the Danish capital, Copenhagen, are painted all over in rainbow hues as they were hosting the WorldPride 2021.

This was supposed to be a marquee event in Greater Copenhagen (the Danish capital encompassing the southern Swedish region of Skåne as well). However, the ongoing pandemic made the arrangements difficult. By some estimates, only about 6,000 people showed up instead of more than 20,000 who were expected. Moreover, the centrepiece of the event — the Pride March — was replaced by a series of smaller campaigns. Some would call this event a failure and possibly point it out as a mistake to organise it amidst the pandemic. I think otherwise though.