“You may now kiss the groom” — In Kerala, an unusual wedding was officiated, only the second of its kind in India. Nived Antony Chullickal and Abdul Rahim became the second same-sex couple in Kerala to make public the news of their marriage.
Though the Supreme Court struck down Section 377, legitimising same-sex relationships, queer couples in India still cannot register their marriage under the law. But that has not stopped Nived and Abdul, and Nikesh and Sonu – the latter got married in July last year – from formalising their relationships.
Nived and Abdul became the second openly gay married couple in the state after they exchanged vows on Sunday. Their pre-wedding photoshoot had gone viral, and speaking to the Indian Express the couple had stated that they wanted to send out a simple message for all couples like them who needed support – same-sex weddings are just like any other weddings and are perfectly normal.
Image: Anusree Prakash
Image: Anusree Prakash
“I really just wanted to get married to my boyfriend and shared pre-wedding photoshoot, firstly, as a message to everyone that it is better to be late than never and second, it is so good to come out and marry your partner. Our wedding was like any other wedding. I also wanted it to be an inspiration for people, so that they too can do the same, and now so many people have called me and I really feel good that I have been an inspiration for all,” Nived tells TNM over the phone.
Image: Anusree Prakash
The couple, both originally from Kerala, got married at Chinnappanahalli Lake in Bengaluru on December 29, Nived said in a video he posted on Facebook. He had told the Indian Express earlier that when Abdul proposed after their relationship completed five years, the couple was mulling moving abroad to a country where same-sex marriages are legally recognised, but then changed their minds and thought, why not in India?
Picture: Nived's Facebook profile
Though no law officially recognises same-sex marriages, Nived is optimistic. “Until a year ago, being gay was criminal. Section 377 was decriminalized last year and maybe in the coming days — a year or two — even same-sex weddings may get legalised too. If you want to have a gay wedding or lesbian wedding, it is normal and it can be done. If you are going to wait, you may have to wait a long time. So we just decided to go ahead with it,” Nived says.
Picture: Nived's Facebook profile
Picture: Nived's Facebook profile
Meanwhile, Nikesh Usha Pushkaran and Sonu MS, both IT professionals based in Kochi, got married at the Guruvayur temple in July 2018. Nikesh told the Times of India earlier that they had exchanged rings in front of the deity and have been living together ever since.
Both their parents were apprehensive at first, so the couple decided to get married and tell their parents later. In August this year, the two decided to reveal to the world that they have been married for over a year.
Picture: Nikesh on Facebook
In an interview with News18, Nikesh stated that there was nobody with them when they got married. “We exchanged rings in the temple complex. Since the place was so crowded, nobody noticed us. Then we exchanged thulasi garlands in the place where our car was parked,” Nikesh said.
Picture: Facebook/Nikesh Usha Pushkaran
Picture: Facebook/Nikesh Usha Pushkaran