Disappointed not defeated: Mumbai queer couple on same-sex marriage verdict
The Supreme Court’s refusal to legalise same-sex marriage in India came as a blow to the LGBTQIA+ community. We spoke to a queer couple from Mumbai who share wi Mumbai queer couple Ashish Srivastava and Inder Vhatwar, a 35-year-old IT professional and a member of the queer community, have been disappointed by the verdict of same-sex marriage in India. The couple faced difficulties in purchasing an apartment in Mumbai when their partner tested positive for the same sex marriage. They argued that legalising same- sex marriage would help them obtain the same benefits every heterosexual married individual already has. They also argued that it would make it easier for them to legally marry in any other country where their marriage won't be legal in their own country. They plan to continue their fight against the law, stating that they are persistent about getting married in India as their marriage is not legal in the country.
Опубликовано : 2 года назад от в Lifestyle
For queer couples in India, the lack of basic rights that accrue from marriage is felt in their day-to-day life. 35-year-old Ashish Srivastava, an IT professional working as a senior manager at a shipping firm and a member of the queer community had to face the ugly side of this during the Covid-19 pandemic when his partner, Inder Vhatwar, tested positive.
He says, “The doctors insisted on speaking to his family members only. They said I was just a friend and needed his family to discuss his medical condition. It made me feel upset and a little humiliated that in spite of being his husband, I was not being considered. Eventually, we managed to convince the medical staff.”
This was not the only time when the couple faced an issue. They had to face challenges when jointly purchasing an apartment in Mumbai. “We had a tough time buying a house together since banks were refusing to give joint loans to us. It was a big mess.” “This,” Srivastava says, “makes legalising same-sex marriage important for us.” “We are not asking for any special rights but the basic equal rights. Legalising same-sex marriage will help us get the subsequent benefits every heterosexual married individual already has,” he adds.
Srivastava has been in a loving relationship with his partner, Inder Vhatwar, for the past 11 years. Vhatwar is a 42-year-old entrepreneur and LGBTQIA+ activist who has been creating a safe space for community members since 2010. This queer couple met in 2012 at a pride parade in Bangalore which makes their union doubly special for them. The couple was initially in a long-distance relationship with Srivastava residing in Bangalore and Vhatwar living in Mumbai. It was after Srivastava moved to Mumbai, did the two started living together.
With a hint of lament in his voice, Srivastava tells us, “It has been over seven years since we have been waiting to tie the knot. We could have got married in any other country where same-sex marriage is legal. We choose not to because our marriage won’t be legal in our own country. We are persistent about getting married in India. My partner and I will fight for it and wait for the day the country legalises same-sex marriages.”
When asked about what message he would like to give to young queer couples, Srivastava shares, “Prioritise your physical and mental safety. Be hopeful. As we say, umeed pe duniya kayam hai, don’t get too disappointed, it’s not a major loss. We shall keep fighting.”
Темы: Social Issues, LGBTQ