“I admired her intelligence: the way she owns the dance floor, the way she looks, the way she sings,” says Dr. Paromita Mukherjee of her future wife Dr. Surabhi Mitra.
Mitra in turn says she got “butterfly-wali feelings” when she met Mukherjee.
The lesbian couple had an extravagant engagement in Nagpur last December. Their engagement video immediately became viral on the Internet. Mitra’s father was worried that harm might come to his daughter. The couple also faced a deep-rooted social stigma against same-sex marriages.
They prevailed and came out nonetheless. The couple will have a formal marriage ceremony later this year.
But India will not recognize Mitra and Mukherjee’s marriage. They will be denied the quintessential features of societal living, from renting a home, and having a joint bank account. They will not be able to sign consent forms for medical procedures. They will not be entitled to hold a legal agreement together as a couple.
Fighting Discrimination
June is celebrated as Pride month to commemorate the ongoing pursuit for equal justice and years of struggle for civil rights for the LGBTQIA+ community. Though it’s been celebrated since 1970, around the globe, only 29 countries recognize same-sex marriage. India is not part of the list.
People belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community in India continue to face discrimination, especially in the legal system.
Prejudiced Minds
Decriminalization in 2018 in India was definitely a historical move. It did spark hopes but same-sex marriages are still illegal in India.
The LGBTQIA rights movement works to gain the same basic rights as the heterosexual community. Unfortunately, LGBTQIAs are often disdained by prejudiced minds, depriving them of jobs and dignity.
In many cases, they also face disownment from their own family. Relatives and parents shun off ties after the discovery of their child’s sexual orientation. People belonging to the community coming out and explaining their stand. But parents of the community often remain silent.
Breaking Taboos
Tell-A-Story aims to break this taboo with its latest video story. It proudly presents an incredible love story of a same-sex couple that traverses an amazing journey of their self realization, and legal empowerment. For the first-time ever, Mitra’s father talks about the discovery of daughter’s sexual orientation.
Through an intriguing narrative, the video sheds light on the normal lives of LGBTQIA people, their point of view, legal hassles in the path and a parent’s take on his child’s romantic orientation. As we celebrate Pride month, it is our responsibility to be aware and to spread the message of equality because love is love and humanity is above all.