Vaibhav and Sukanth met five years ago online and have been together ever since. The couple lives in Bengaluru, India and, despite the country’s oppressive colonial-era law deeming homosexuality a criminal offense, they’re taking a stand against homophobia… by posing in an ad campaign that celebrates their relationship.
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“We hope it makes people realize we are as normal as anyone is,” Vaibhav told Mashable. “Its about time photographers do more such shoots and be more inclusive.”
The guys are teaming up with UrbanClap, a new app that pairs customers with service professionals, for a new pro-LGBTQ campaign that will feature five different same-sex couples across India.
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“We believe that everyone should have the right to love whoever they want to as it’s the most basic human right, yet denied to many,” UrbanClap co-founder Abhiraj Bhal said. “We firmly stand with the LGBT community in India as they fight for their equal rights in the eyes of law and society.”
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In a statement, the company added: “The reason for offering these photo shoots to same-sex couples was for them to be able to capture their moments together and create memories. While we’re not saying people should use these to come out publicly as many have chosen not to, but to share these moments with their close friends and family.”
Check out the adorable photos below…
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ingyaom
Cute couple. Hope they don’t get bashed. Good luck, gents.
Billy Budd
Beautiful!
Dave Downunder
Cute couple and very brave of them to put themselves out there like that with the current laws in their country. I hope the rest of the Indian gay community appreciate what they are doing.
klaw
Awwwwwn
avesraggiana
Very handsome couple, and brave too.
Sansacro
Ahh, that bearded one. . . .
Malcolm Forest
Adorable couple, lets hope they have a happy ending.
ErikO
@ingyaom: I also hope they don’t get bashed or murdered.
FnameLname
yes, yes, yes! More exposure since there are so many gay men out there! The public will not change until they begin to see more and more gay people doing every day things. They need to realize that we are just as boring and mediocre as any straight couple! By that time they will consider it common place and barely raise an eye