Gay Marriages on the rise in India

The number of gays entering into wedlock in Goa is on the rise and groups working for homosexual rights are demanding legal cover for such marriages.

"It's heartening to note that gays are getting acceptance from their families... this is happening for the first time in the state which saw first gay marriage three years back," Vishant Chodankar, trustee, Humsaath Trust, a non government organisation working for gays. "Fearing social stigma and discrimination, we had to conduct all these marriages in a clandestine manner," he said.

A few years ago, a renowned male fashion designer based in Goa solemnised his marriage to his male partner. It was recorded as the first gay marriage in India. Chodankar, who is himself married to a male partner, feels loyalty in gay marriages is much more than in conventional marriages.

"They are ready to come out in public with their relationship if there is social acceptance," Chodankar said.

The NGO is the only body working for gay rights. It is worried about high susceptibility to sexually-transmitted diseases among gays. Referring to the demand for legalising gay marriages, he said, "Gay couples cut across the age group of 18 to 50 years. We need the government's help to legalise such an institution," he added. Gay marriages in India, which hitherto lack social acceptance are now getting support from unexpected quarters -- respective families.

Social conservatives and others who oppose same-sex unions assert that marriage between a man and a woman is the bedrock of a healthy society because it leads to stable families and, ultimately, to children who grow up to be productive adults. Allowing gay and lesbian couples to wed, they argue, will radically redefine marriage and further weaken it at a time when the institution is already in deep trouble due to high divorce rates and the significant number of out-of-wedlock births. Moreover, they predict, giving gay couples the right to marry will ultimately lead to granting people in polygamous and other nontraditional relationships the right to marry as well.

Written by: Neha Gupta