In 2016, being gay is still illegal in India, and, as far as traditional Indian families are concerned, homosexuality remains a highly taboo subject.
That’s why these widely circulated images of a sumptuous gay Hindu wedding are proving to be such an inspiration to Indian families everywhere.
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The photographs feature Rishi Agarwal and Daniel Langdon getting hitched in a traditional ceremony.
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Agarwal was raised in a Hindu household, and his parents always dreamed of throwing him a seriously epic wedding.
(The family left India in the ’70s in order to move to Canada.)
Agarwal was initially apprehensive to come out to his parents, particularly after the suicide of a gay Sikh student he knew, whose parents simply wouldn’t accept his homosexuality.
Nevertheless, he came out in 2011 and admits his mom and dad were at first “stunned” at the news. He feared his hopes of a dream wedding with friends and family was quashed for good.
But no.
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Agarwal’s parents ultimately wound up accepting him. In fact, they spent three entire days learning everything they could about LGBTQ issues, even starting a chapter of PFLAG based in Peel.
“You’re still our son and we love you,” they said when he asked if they wanted him to leave their household.
“This is strictly our baggage, what we bring from India,” said his mom, blaming their own ignorance for any hesitation he may have sensed from them.
Rishi and Dan got married, going through all the elaborate traditions of a “big fat Hindu wedding.”
Talking to local media, Rishi confessed, “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.”
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Now, the couple are sharing their story to demonstrate how important acceptance is, and to show how families need to stay together and celebrate same-sex relationships the way they would any other couple.
In Rishi’s words: “In order to run a lot of those ceremonies, you really need everyone, the community’s involvement, otherwise it doesn’t really work.”
“Unfortunately, others have not had that support in their lives.”
Check out images from the wedding ceremony below:
h/t: Pink News
Billy Budd
This is AMAZING. I once went to a straight traditional indian hindu marriage and it was really impressive. Indians make BIG pompous weddings and the dancing afterwards is simply fabulous, with native songs and all.
Shadeaux
This looks really wonderful! I would love to attend one of these one day!
joeyty
Bet the food was great.
heavylifter
The white one looks like she got beaten with the Ugly Stick, all she could score on Grindr is a nerdy 3rd Worlder looking for a ticket out of her Third World hellhole.
And what’s with all the click bait titles – “internet totally loses it” – I realise queens are shallow and gossipy but please there have to be some kind of limit.
Kangol
@heavylifter: Did you post just to be cruel and nasty or what? Agarwal, the South Asian guy, is Canadian, so he’s not looking for a “a ticket out of her Third World hellhole.” R@cist much???
The wedding looks amazing. I hope they’re very happy, and so happy to see the South Asian American guy has his family’s support.
@Billy Budd: Every traditional South Asian wedding I’ve ever attended has been amazing. Talk about knowing how to celebrate in style!
dean089
Progress. Baby steps, but progress.
ingyaom
@heavylifter: Dumbest comment of the day – for thinking Canada is a “Third World” country (and being just plain rude).
Armiya
@heavylifter: Wow. Someone has obviously spent most their life as the last person in the gay bar at close. There is nothing shallow OR gossipy about this event. Ya think this wedding could have gone down in the homeland of his parents? As far as being shallow, you’d know all about it wouldn’t you? Sorry no one has ever shown joy in your presence or existence and you’re probably alone, but seriously…get help!
rmarin776
@heavylifter: I can never understand gay men whose primary motive seems to be to tear down others in our community. Why can’t we support and be happy for each other?
Mykey
@heavylifter: Wow! Aren’t you a shallow douchebag, am sure you’ve scored many hits of grindr but ended up alone and lonely in bed, nursing some superbug STD!
captainburrito
@heavylifter: They might not be up to your standard but couldn’t you just be happy for them than to open your mouth and broadcast how bitter and nasty you are? Your post is far uglier.
The parents moved to Canada in the 70s. The likelihood is the son was born there and has citizenship. Overseas asians are often overeducated so i doubt he needs a sugar daddy.
Hermes
@heavylifter: Mr Bigot — from one White upwardly mobile person to another – GET OFF YOUR HIGH HORSE. There is NOTHING wrong with people of non-Western descent and the family had lived in Canada since the 1970s. Your entire premise is a disgusting gross regurgitation of falsehood and nativism that has no place here. I don’t for a single SECOND think you are gay. Gay people don’t do such things as that.
Hermes
silveroracle
Congratulations to the happy couple.
May you have a beautiful life together.
ErikO
@Billy Budd: Yes Hindu/Indian weddings are the best! I am very happy for both of them.