Kolkata gets its first rainbow wedding as transgender couple exchange marriage vows
The transgender couple, Tista Das and Dipan Chakraborty, had announced their wedding in April this year. While Dipan's family stayed away from the social event, Tista's mother has been steadfast in her support.
In a first, a transgender couple from Kolkata tied the knot at a social ceremony on Monday setting a new precedent for the LGBT community in the City of Joy.
Tista Das and Dipan Chakraborty had announced their wedding in April this year.
Thirty-eight-year-old Tista has been a popular face of the transgender community in Kolkata having worked as an actor in films and TV. She met Dipan, 40, from Assam's Lumding a few years back and the two struck a chord instantly. In April, on the occasion of National Transgender Day of Visibility, the duo announced their decision to tie the knot in what is now known as Kolkata's first 'rainbow wedding'.
"We are all ecstatic, not just me but each and everyone who has supported us. It has indeed been a tough ride, facing stiff social stigma. Therefore, this day has special significance in all our lives. And what adds to it is the fact that we could chose our life partner," said Das, Bengal's first transsexual woman with a voter ID card.
"Being social outcasts we only hope this day sends out a message for people to realise that we are humans too, we do have feelings as well and we too have possibilities in life. I can only hope mindsets change and people come out of fear," Dipan said.
While Dipan's family stayed away from the social event, Tista's mother has been steadfast in her support. Born as Sushanto Das, a man from a Kolkata suburb, Tista gave herself a new identity as a transwoman 15 years ago. She underwent a sex reassignment surgery (SRS) in 2004 after being diagnosed with gender dysphoria in her childhood.
Since then, Tista has been a vocal champion of the transsexual rights making numerous public appearances challenging gender stereotypes and prejudices. While numerous members of the transgender community from Kolkata took part in the event, member of the West Bengal Transgender Board Ranjita Sinha expressed her concern while wishing the new couple luck.
"I attended the wedding as Tista has been a long-time comrade in our struggle. I am happy for her personal choice, however, I am worried that transgender rights might be confused with women's rights. Why does a transwoman need to accept patriarchy to seek social equality?" Ranjita Sinha questioned adding that transgenders still don't have most of the rights enjoyed by any other citizen, like inheritance, etc.
"When we don't have access to health, education and livelihood, so this entire media glare on a single transgender marriage may lead to obfuscation of our real fight, I fear. We must not lose sight of the bigger battle," Sinha said.