Women in love can't Marry

Can't take the vows
u00a0
Unfortunately, they went home unmarried. "The marriage can't be registered as it doesn't have legal sanctity," said B T Venkatesh,u00a0 an advocate.
u00a0
"Prohibited degrees of relationship are the only concern. Unless and until there is a change in personal laws, the marriage will not be recognised by law."

Activists fighting for sexual minorities are coming forward to help the couple. "They deserve equal rights," said Akkaipadmashali, an activist.

"Though the Delhi High Court decision is welcome, we have a long way to go," he added, saying that he would take up their case as "there are hundreds of Swathis and Snehas fighting for their rights to marry and adopt children."

The love story

The couple, who knew they were predisposed to be women, spent a fortune on sex change surgery and wanted to marry men.

"I had always wanted to fall in love with a man," said Swathi, a man till three years ago. "But that won't happen in our society."

Sneha, a man five years ago, also had a sex change operation, and spent as many years looking for a husband. Neither found a husband.

Then, three years ago, the two met and fell in love while working as community mobilisers with an NGO called Samara.

"We both wanted the same thing and were attracted to each other and suddenly found ourselves in love," said Swathi, who has been living in with Snehaprabha for the last three years.

Each earns Rs 4,000 a month from Samara and some more as prostitutes to make ends meet. The couple don't get good job offers.

"That's why we have no choice but sex trade. If we were treated like normal women, there will be no need for us to be associated to that profession," Swathi explained.

"We live a difficult life. We don't earn enough as we aren't treated like at par with other women," she concluded.

IPC section 377

IPC Section 377 was introduced during the British rule.u00a0 It criminalises sexual activity "against the order of nature."

The section was read down to decriminalise same-sex behavior among consenting adults in a historic judgement by the High Court of Delhi on July 2u00a0 2009.

Section 377 continues to apply in the case of sex involving minors and coercive sex.

The agony of bending gender

Transsexuals go through tremendous psychological pressure both before and after their sex change, say doctors.
u00a0
"They are under pressure as they feel trapped in a body they don't want," said Dr Padmini Prasad, a leading Bangalore sexologist.

"Hence, there are procedures to be followed before they undergo surgery. Psychiatric assessment is one of them," he added.

They are also tested for the new gender role. "In a few cases like this, they are in conflict both before and after the change," said Padmini.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!