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Maharashtra Hosts State's First Community Marriage For Trans Persons

Five transgender women married their partners in a historic community wedding ceremony in Maharashtra's Pimpri Chinchwad. The event was organised by a non-profit organisation.

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Tanya Savkoor
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transgender community marriage

Image: NARI The Woman

Five transgender women married their partners in a historic community wedding ceremony in Maharashtra's Pimpri Chinchwad on January 28. The unique event included all the quintessential programs of a typical Hindu wedding-- an engagement ceremony, sangeet, haldi, and more. The community wedding was organised at Balaji Lawns in Kalewadi, by a non-profit organisation called 'NARI The Woman'. 

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Transgender Community Wedding

The five couples who tied the knot are Aman Gupta and Shivanya Shinde, Gaurav Londhe and Adnan Maniyar, Madhuri Vairage and Santosh Chavan, Rohini Tayade and Dheeraj Sonawane and Akash Kasbe and Umesh Khan. According to Free Press Journal, most of these couples had been together for a long time but could not officially marry due to some obstacles.

The wedding ceremony was like a testament to their right to live a dignified and love-filled life. The event was a significant milestone for the transgender community, symbolizing not just love and commitment but also the ongoing fight for equal rights and social acceptance. Despite societal challenges, the couples stood firm in their decision to celebrate their love openly.

Speaking to the media, Shivanya Shinde expressed, "I always wanted to live as a woman. Through this wedding ceremony, I have gained the right to live my life as a woman. My dream has come true."

Santosh and Madhuri have been in a relationship for 10 years. "It was a dream-come-true moment for the both of us. Today we are officially a married couple." Meanwhile, Rohini and Dheeraj have been together for five years. She said, "Now, I feel I have fully settled in my life. I never expected that such a ceremony could be organised for the wedding of trans community members."

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Many social activists and politicians attended the community wedding, reports said. Shankar Jagtap, Chinchwad Minister of the Legislative Assembly, also spoke about the event. "This wedding ceremony will be a part of Pimpri-Chinchwad's history. The city has set a new standard for the entire nation." Indeed, the event has set a precedent for equal rights in India.

Transgender rights in India Transgender rights
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