Lesbian couple make dramatic escape after being held against their will by homophobic family
India still trails behind much of the world when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights and equality. (Envato Elements)
A lesbian couple were held captive by homophobic family members – until one of the women escaped by leaping over a wall.
According to reports by the Times of India, the couple had a wedding ceremony at Budheshwar temple in Uttar Pradesh, India on 17 November.
Some time after, one of the women told officials, relatives took her and her wife captive, holding them against their will at the family home.
The woman explained that eventually she managed to reach the terrace of the house, leapt over a wall and rushed to police.
Officers attended the house and managed to rescue the other woman, bringing her back to the station and reuniting her with her wife.
Assistant commissioner I P Singh confirmed to the Times of India that the women were held against their will. He added their families are “against their relationship”.
Singh continued: “Their families were called to the police station and counselled.
“They were told that the law provides protection to same-sex couples, and the families could face action if a complaint is lodged.”
The woman told reporters at the police station that the couple don’t “want anyone’s interference [or] disturbance” and that they will live together.
She said: “We are both adults and are capable enough to earn to sustain ourselves.”
LGBT+ community is protected in Uttar Pradesh, but same-sex marriage isn’t recognised.
Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state of India. It is situated in the northern part of India and shares boundaries with Uttarakhand, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and an international border with Nepal.
Homosexuality is legal in Uttar Pradesh, even though same-sex relationships are unrecognised. Transgender people living in the region are legally recognised.
According to EqualDex, discrimination against LGBT+ people is illegal whether it’s in employment, housing or even more generally. LGBT+ people can also join the military or donate blood.
In India, more generally, same-sex marriage is not recognised. Also, LGBT+ people cannot adopt children and are barred from joining the military. Additionally, conversion therapy – the pseudoscientific and harmful practise of trying to change someone’s gender identity or sexual orientation – has not been banned as a practise.
