Trans man arrested after his own wedding
A trans man was arrested after marrying a woman in India.
The parents of the bride contacted the police to claim their daughter was now married to a ‘fraud’.
Sri Ram, a 25-year-old man in Kerala, had dated the daughter for seven years prior to the wedding.
Following the nuptials, the woman told her parents about her husband’s transition.
Outraged, the bride’s family demanded Ram was arrested.
Because the bride did not want to press charges, Ram was later released.
Ishan and Surya were the first trans couple to get married in India. | Photo: Facebook/Surya Ishaan
It is not illegal for trans people to marry people of the opposite gender in India.
In Kerala, the first trans couple tied the knot with their families’ blessings on 10 May.
Ishan, a 33-year-old trans man, and 31-year-old trans woman Surya, wed in accordance with the Special Marriage Act.
The Kerala Social Justice Department threw the couple a lavish reception at the Dimoro Hotel on Wednesday (30 May). Local celebrities and high ranking politicians attended the party.
Surya who works a model and TV presenter was grateful her family could be at her wedding.
‘We are now officially a couple – husband and wife and we will show the world that we can love and live a marriage too,’ Surya said at the time of her wedding.
Trans advocates celebrated the wedding of the couple, saying it shows India has come far on trans rights.
‘This is a historic moment for the community of transgender persons – because there is no law on issues like marriage, adoption or atrocities against them in such situations,’ trans advocate Maya Krishnan told NDTV.
Kerala is king
The south eastern state of Kerala is typically a national leader on trans equality and rights.
It was one of the first states to adopt federal laws protecting the rights of trans people.
Kerala also led the way becoming the first state to host the first trans beauty pageant and also trans sports competition.
The state government has also set up job placements and social housing for the trans community.
