Britain's first interfaith lesbian wedding: Hindu-Jewish couple ties the knot
What's the story
48-year-old Indian-origin woman Kalavati Mistry married her Jewish lesbian partner, Miriam Jefferson, in a traditional Indian ceremony in the UK's Leicester. Over 20 years after beginning a secret romance, they exchanged vows in what is being reported as the country's first interfaith gay marriage. They tied the knot in a local Indian restaurant, Chutney Ivy, last week. Know more about their beautiful wedding!
Information
Met more than two decades ago
Kalavati, from Leicester, and Miriam, from Texas, met over 20 years ago during a training course in the US; Kalavati was 26 at the time. The newly-wed couple has returned to the US; they both currently work for an interfaith organization.
Wedding
Married for the second time in Indian style
Wearing traditional bridal colors, red and white, Kalavati and Miriam exchanged floral garlands and tied 'mangal sutras' surrounded by family and friends. Finding a Hindu priest to perform the ground-breaking same sex marriage wasn't easy. However, a female priest Chanda Vyas carried out the beautiful wedding and was delighted to be a part of it. They had a Jewish wedding earlier in Texas.
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Marriage is important: Kalavati
Kalavati said: "Marriage is very important to me. Although attitudes are changing at the moment, it was very difficult to find a priest. I hope many many gay people - no matter what religion or culture they're in - are in loving relationships."
Sexuality
Very difficult for me as an Asian gay woman: Kalavati
Kalavati said she couldn't come out as gay and kept it secret for many years. She discovered she was gay at an early age but was worried about honoring her family traditions, culture, and religion. However, once she told her family and friends about her sexuality and Miriam, their reaction was unexpectedly great. Her family members were "very warm and embracing" to Miriam.
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We have a stronger bond now, says the couple
Miriam said, "It's really nice to now have a Hindu wedding here because it brings both of us together and completes both of us in my eyes," while Kalavati stated, "I would like to celebrate and embrace both Hinduism as well as Judaism."