HYDERABAD: I do! said a gay couple who made their relationship official in a private ceremony held at the outskirts of the city on December 18.

At a time when gay marriages are illegal in India, the couple held a ‘promising ceremony’ wherein they exchanged rings and vows and celebrated their union with close to 60 family and close friends.

Wearing white tuxedos, Supriyo Chakraborty, 31 and Abhay Dange, 34 solemnized their 8-year long relationship in the ceremony.

“For the wedding, we walked down the aisle and exchanged vows and rings. Our union was celebrated amid wedding bells that were distributed among all our guests. Following the event, best man speeches were delivered,” said Chakraborty. Their ceremony was officiated by Sophia David, a friend who is also a part of the LGBTQ community in Hyderabad.

Although no marital rituals or formalities were involved, the couple brought together the Bengali and Punjabi traditions. “Mehendi is always a woman centric ceremony. We wanted to break that stereotype by holding the same for all the men at the venue. During the Haldi, we wore the Bengali topor (a headgear). Subsequently, a sangeet function was held wherein Kathak performances were displayed,” said Chakraborty.

Even as the Indian law does not recognise their relationship as husband and husband, the couple called themselves ‘soul-mates’. “Ever since we declared our union, we have received mixed reactions from people. At large, people have been very supportive of our relationship and this ceremony was just a celebration of the same,” said Chakraborty.

Watch A gay couple in Hyderabad solemnised their 8-year-long relationship in a private ceremony