Over 150 gays and lesbians form different parts of Orissa on Sunday came out of closet and participated in a rally to press for their rights.

The rally named Rainbow Pride Walk was started by Solidarity and Action against the HIV Infection in India (Saathi) with support of different NGOs.

The members of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender) from different district of the state participated in this rally.

Speaking on this, Subham Mishra, heading a support group in the rally said: "We have long been stigmatized for our sexual orientation. We were ostracized, taunted and lectured to behave in a particular way for our different sexual liking in our society. We have come out in open to press for our right."

Mishra added that through the rally, they want to put across the message to the people that those with alternative sexualities and gender identities are not aberrations in society rather they are natural human feelings which is not to be despised.

They are part of the sexual diversity which is to be celebrated, added Mishra.

It should be noted here that parallel rallies have been organized earlier in Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi and Bangaluru in the past.

This is for the first time that such a rally has been organized in Bhubaneswar.

Recently, Union Law Minister Veerappa Moily has made it clear that a decision on revoking the contentious Section of the Penal Law which criminalizes homosexuality would be taken only after considering concerns of all sections of society.