We use cookies on this website. By continuing to use this site without changing your cookie settings, you agree that you are happy to accept our privacy policy and for us to access our cookies on your device.
Transcript/Script((PLAYBOOK SLUG: India Same Sex Marriage
HEADLINE: India’s Supreme Court Holds Landmark Hearings on Legalizing Same Sex Marriage
TEASER: The government has opposed same sex marriage saying it undermines religious and social values, petitioners say societal acceptance will follow once law paves the way
PUBLISHED AT: Wednesday, 04/26/2023 at 06:18 EDT
BYLINE: Anjana Pasricha
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: New Delhi
VIDEOGRAPHER: Masoud Najem
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: wpm, pcd
VIDEO SOURCES: Original, Wires
PLATFORMS: WEB _x_ TV _x_ RADIO __
TRT: 3:06
VID APPROVED BY: pcd
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES: ))
((INTRO))
[[India’s Supreme Court is holding landmark hearings on legalizing same sex marriage following petitions filed by several members of the LGBTQ community. Anjana Pasricha in New Delhi speaks to a gay couple who are among the petitioners on why the right to marry is important for them.]]
((NARRATOR))
The commitment ceremony of this gay couple a year and a half ago had all the trappings of an Indian wedding. But in a country that does not recognize same sex marriages, it had no legal validity.
((Supriyo Chakraborty, same sex marriage petitioner – male in English))
“I think emotional part, I really wanted to call Abhay as my husband. Not only him. My mother, my family accepted us. I want my mother to call Abhay loudly, proudly, legally as her son in law.”
((NARRATOR))
The Supreme Court is holding hearings on petitions filed by several LGBTQ couples including Abhay Dang and his partner, Supriyo Chakraborty to legalize same sex marriage.
Since they first met 10 years ago on a dating app, their journey has been like that of any heterosexual couple.
((Abhay Dang, same sex marriage petitioner – male in English))
“As part of the relationship, we both have grown in terms of how to deal with things and just to value each other more than just ourselves, more than our individual egos.”
((NARRATOR))
Now they want the same rights as heterosexual couples.
((Abhay Dang, same sex marriage petitioner – male in English))
“That includes things like medical insurance, adoption, inheritance, none of those rights are available to us.”
((Supriyo Chakraborty, same sex marriage petitioner – male in English))
“Till today if I need to fill a form, I still need to checkmark as a single. This thing does matter in our day-to-day life.”
((NARRATOR))
The pivotal moment that prompted them to approach the court came when both contracted COVID-19.
((Abhay Dang, same sex marriage petitioner – male in English))
“It just made us realize that life is very, very fragile and we can’t really predict what may happen in the next moment…. We cannot sign documents for each other. Let’s say I am hospitalized and I need someone to make a decision for me, like a surgery or something of that sort, Supriyo would not be able to take that decision.”
((NARRATOR))
The government has strongly opposed legalizing gay marriage calling it an urban elitist concept that undermines social and religious values.
Gay rights activists disagree.
((Anjali Gopalan, Executive Director, Naz Foundation – female in English))
“Here we are looking at people who want to do something that society holds a lot of value for, the institution of marriage for example. And in many ways marriage does denotes commitment, caring for each other, loving each other.”
((NARRATOR))
While India is still a largely traditional country, petitioners have argued that societal acceptance will follow once law shows the way.
Chakraborty said that since the court struck down a law criminalizing gay relationships five years ago, discussions about homosexuality have come more easily.
((Supriyo Chakraborty, same sex marriage petitioner – male in English))
“People don’t say the word gay not very quietly any more. People are very confident to start a conversation about it. And I am not just talking about the LGBTQI community, I am talking about everybody in general.”
((NARRATOR))
As they wait for the judgement, this couple hope that ceremonies like the one they held will count as a legal wedding someday.
((Anjana Pasricha for VOA News, New Delhi))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)New Delhi
BylineAnjana Pasricha
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
