Parents of LGBTQIA+children write to CJI seeking legal stamp on rainbow marriages

The parents of Indian LGBTQIA+ children wrote to Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, appealing to him to consider the plea of their children’s rainbow marriages and expressing hope that “we will see the legal stamp on their rainbow weddings in our lifetime.”

“We desire to see our children and our children-in-law find legal acceptance for their relationship under the Special Marriages Act in our country,” The letter written by the parents of Indian LGBTQIA+ children from a group named Sweekar-The Rainbow Parents, wrote in a letter. We are confident that a country the size of ours, which values inclusion and appreciates its variety, would allow marriage equality for our children as well.

Our age is increasing. Some of us will soon turn 80. In our lifetimes, we hope to witness the legalisation of our children’s rainbow marriages. Sweekar: The Rainbow Parents is a support network run by parents of LGBTQIA+ people to guide parents on their path to acceptance. There are more than 400 parents who come from all corners of the country.

The letter further stated, “We are appealing to you to consider the plea for marriage equality.”

“We have experienced the full range of emotions, from understanding gender and sexuality to comprehending the lives of our children to finally accepting their sexuality and the love of their lives.”

We empathise with those who oppose marriage equality because some of us were there too. It took us education, debate, and patience with our LGBTQIA+ children to realise that their lives, feelings, and desires are valid,” the parents said.