Dear Reader,
Earlier this year, the Supreme Court refused to review its 2023 verdict that denied legal recognition to same-sex marriages. For many LGBTQ+ couples, this wasn’t just a legal setback — it was a reminder of how far India still has to go.
In 2018, Anu* and Laxmi* ran away from home, hoping to build a life together. Three months before Section 377 was read down, they jumped to their deaths from Ellis Bridge in Ahmedabad. Anu held her three-year-old son in her arms as they fell. Their last message, written in lipstick on a plastic plate, read: “We did not have any men with us.”
Our documentary “Shock Therapy, Forced Marriage: Life of Small-Town Lesbian Couples” follows women who are still fighting to live openly. These aren’t their real names, because revealing their identities could put them in danger.
Sanjana* was just 12 when a doctor told her family she was a homosexual. Her parents asked if shock therapy could “fix” her. When it didn’t, they married her off at 14.
Zehra* and Rashmi* ran away to be together, but their elopement made headlines, turning their love into a Hindu-Muslim controversy. The police found them and taunted them, even suggesting they marry men at the station.
Rajni* and Uma* secured a High Court document stating they could live together, but that hasn’t stopped their families from keeping them apart and threatening them.
Without legal protection, same-sex couples in India remain vulnerable—to family pressure, police abuse, and the fear that loving the wrong person could cost them everything.
When the Supreme Court refused to reconsider its ruling on same-sex marriage, it left the fight for equal rights in the hands of Parliament. The law may take time to catch up, but love shouldn’t have to wait.
Over the years, The Quint has challenged conventions and highlighted urgent matters with such documentaries. To explore more, CLICK HERE.
For the past 10 years, we have remained committed to asking the tough questions — from exposing misinformation to delivering impactful human rights reporting, our newsroom has relentlessly pursued stories that drive change. Join us in celebrating a decade of fearless journalism. Get 10% OFF* on all Membership plans — Become a Quint Member* today!
Thanks,
ZIJAH SHERWANI
Creative Director
*Already a member of The Quint? What a star! Your support empowers us to question everything.
Want us to cover a story? Write to us at editor@thequint.com or reply to this email.
