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Marriage for everyone - 17th January 2023

Over 800 people at Delhi's LGBTQ+ Pride marched for more rights. LGBTQ+ people in India want the law to allow same-sex marriage.

The LGBTQ+ community needs equal rights, says businessman Ajay Chauhan.

Ajay Chauhan: "It's time that we come out, as always, and raise our voices. Because Pride is just not a celebration, it is also is a protest, right. It is a very political statement going out to the government that there's a large community in play and their rights needs to be met. And we need to be heard equally."

Until 2018, when the law was changed, same-sex relationships were illegal. People could be sent to jail for 10 years.

But life's still difficult for LGBTQ+ couples. They can't own a home together or a bank account.

Ajay Chauhan: "Decriminalisation has only targeted one aspect of it. But there's a larger aspect where the rights are still not there with the LGBTQ community. So we need to really focus on those rights like inheriting properties together, opening bank accounts. Marriage is one big thing because once the marriage comes into play, all these other aspects of the rights will actually be met."

Mikali Singh: "And there'll be more acceptance because in society marriage is accepted."

Traditional views on relationships, which are still common, have a powerful effect. LGBTQ+ people are often ignored by their families and friends. But times are changing. Even Bollywood films and series now include LGBTQ+ characters.

Equality used to be part of Indian culture. University professor Akash Rathore:

Akash Rathore: "It is a high time for India to look for equality. If you see, historical India was always a place where we respected you, like, equality."

LGBTQ+ couples have complained to India's Supreme Court. It will decide if the law is unfair. India could become the second country in Asia to allow same-sex marriage, after Taiwan.