Woman Gets Her Husband Married To A Member Of LGBTQ Community In Odisha’s Kalahandi

Bhawanipatna: In a rare incident, a woman has got her husband married to a person belonging to LGBTQ community in a traditional function in Odisha’s Kalahandi district.

According to sources, Fakir Nial of Dhurkuti village under Narla block of the district was married five years back and the couple have an one-year-old child. One year back, Fakir developed relationship with Sangita, who belongs to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community (LGBTQ) in his area.

After some time, Fakir’s wife came to know about their relationship. Instead of expressing her opposition or resentment, she discussed the matter with her husband. She not only understood the sensitive relationship but also accepted it.

In order to give justice to Sangita and social recognition to her relationship, Fakir’s wife proposed them to get married to which they agreed.

The marriage of Fakir and Sangita was solemnised as per the practices followed by the transgender community. Fakir’s wife was herself present on the occasion and facilitated all arrangements for the function.

In her reaction to the marriage, Aisha Behera, a member of LGBQT community welcomed the step taken by Fakir’s wife. “Though our community has been granted right to equality by the law of the land, we have not been accepted by the society openly. There are still reservation among majority of the people regarding us. In this situation, the marriage of Sangita to a ‘normal’ man is a step in right direction,” she said.

Stating that this would pave the way for other members of the society to come forward to accept the community, Aisha said, “People opposing us should know that we also have the right to choose our partners. I hope the awareness of Fakir’s wife would awaken the society in days to come.”