Watch |Indian parents throw ‘big gay hindu wedding’ for their son
By Umar Sarwar
Love is in the air in Toronto, Canada, where a gay couple have tied the knot during a traditional Hindu wedding: courtesy of their parents.
The Huffington post reports that Rishi Agarwal and Daniel Langdon were treated to “the whole shebang”, in a ceremony filled with dancing, Mehndi (henna tattoos) and even a Sangeet (think Hindu hen night).
Agarwal, who grew up in Toronto, said his parents were initially shocked when he came out because they had a traditional Hindu upbringing.
Being gay in India is still punishable by law under section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, and continues to be a taboo for many in the country.
Argawal said: “There’s a big unspoken part that people don’t speak about and that is the limited understanding and acceptance about gay issues. I think in Toronto and the rest of the world, there still needs to be a greater awareness about LGBT issues. We need a lot more education.”
Agarwal’s parents, who emigrated to Canada in the 1970’s, decided to attended some teaching groups where they educate people on LGBT issues and soon after, they accepted their son “wholeheartedly.”
“We did all the Hindu ceremonies: Mehndi, Sangeet, wedding, the whole shebang,” said Agarwal in an interview with The Huffington Post.
“A lot of couples will do a court marriage, the difference in our case was: we had our parents’ support. You cannot do a Hindu wedding without family and friends. I never thought in my wildest dreams that I could have the wedding that I wanted with the person I loved and with all my family and my friends.”
The Argawals now run a support group to help other Indian families accept their LGBT children.
According to Richie, his story has inspired some of his friends to come out to their families too.
Congratulations to the happy couple!
You can watch Rishi and Daniel’s wedding video below:
Words: Andrew Headspeath
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