CELEBS HAPPY FOR SAME-SEX COUPLE

A ceremony that could be interpreted as a lesbian wedding gets support from famous names

The same-sex ‘wedding’ of Manjit Kaur, a warden for the Punjab state government, and a 27-year-old woman who was reportedly her girlfriend is possibly a first in the state, and one of the very, very few such ceremonies to have got social acceptance in this country.

The video and pictures of the ceremony went viral, and people applauded the families of the two, who are seen enjoying the lavish shaadi.

Positive messages have come not just from the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgenders and queer) community, but also from celebrities. They’ve hailed the two for taking the step despite Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code that criminalises a sexual relationship “against the order of nature”.

Mohnish Malhotra, gay rights activist and an organiser of the Delhi Queer Pride Parade, says, “The community is growing out of the fear of Section 377. This event is proof that if you want to change the attitude on the

I haven’t heard about this [wedding], but if this is true, that’s fantastic. ‘Live and let live’ is a good principle in matters of sexuality

SWARA BHASKAR, ACTOR

subject, it won’t happen through major events but through the small things.”

Bollywood celebrities are also upbeat about it.

Actor Swara Bhaskar had earlier supported the LGBTQ community by slamming the controversial Article 377 through her tweet. She says, “I think it’s a great step. Section 377 of IPC is a colonial and Victorian era hangover in our penal code.” Filmmaker Onir, who is openly gay, says, “I feel that we all should support the [Punjab] couple.”