BHOPAL: For weeks now, Bhopal’s queer community is talking about one thing, and one thing only — the awaited Supreme Court judgment on same-sex marriage.
“We are waiting, praying and hoping that it’s in our favor,” said Akshay Bavisa, one of the community members.
Shivam Baghel, 25, another member of the community explains why they pin their hopes on the apex court: “We have evolved through so many traditional practices, why can’t we evolve through the definition of a traditional Indian family?” “Not legalising same-sex marriage is creating havoc in our day-to-day lives. Renting an apartment, opening a joint bank account, buying insurance, and such basic chores become impossible for a same-sex couple. How is that fair,” he asks.
It’s not as simple as following your heart and getting married, regardless of legal sanction, LGBTQIA members point out.
YouTubers Payal Batra and Yashvika Payal Batra, who tied the knot last year, are still struggling to get a home loan. The couple had a grand destination wedding in Lonavala in October but don’t have a marriage registration certificate. The couple, who has 2.3 lakh subscribers, is now living in Mumbai and want to “re-marry” if same-sex marriage is legalised.
If that’s the condition in Mumbai, things are significantly worse for same-sex couples in a tier-2 city like Bhopal, says Dr Kartikey Parashar, an intern at Gandhi Medical College, who is an LGBTQIA member.
“In critical cases, where surgery is required, first the consent is sought from the closest relative of the patient. The (same-sex) partner, since the marriage is not legalised is only considered a friend even if they have been married and living together for years. We are unable to help them because we are legally bound. This is where legalisation of marriage becomes important,” the doctor added.
Navnidhi Tripathi, a resident of Bhopal now working as an assistant professor at Jammu University, describes ancient India as more passable towards same-sex partners. “Various types of same-sex marriages have existed in India — ranging from informal, unsanctioned relationships to highly ritualized unions. It was quite natural,” he said.
“We face a lot of hardships to accept our identity. Now, when I want to marry a man. Why should I settle for anything less,” he asserted.
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