A same-sex couple in Gurugram is breaking barriers and busting stereotypes about homosexuality. Anju Sharma and Kavita Tappu had a traditional wedding ceremony in April 2024 to celebrate their union, despite same-sex marriage not yet being legalised in India. The couple met four years ago and have been living together ever since. Sharma, a television actor, and Tappu, a makeup artist, document their life as a homosexual couple on their social media, sharing their journey with the world.
Anju Sharma, Kavita Tappu
While Sharma and Tappu's marriage is not a traditional (heterosexual) union in India, their wedding was not devoid of rich cultural rituals. Anju, clad in a sherwani and red turban, while Kavita, donning a red lehenga, the couple looked resplendent as their faces glowed with joy.
The ceremony was attended by their friends and family, creating an atmosphere of love, support, and celebration of diversity. Four years ago, Sharma met Tappu, her makeup artist for a shoot, and the two felt a connection. She invited Tappu to come stay with her family for over 20 days.
"She was so well-behaved that even my mother liked her…She is extremely caring…We have been living together for 4 years,” Sharma told Asian News International. While homosexuality still struggles to find acceptance in India, the couple stood beside each other through thick and thin.
Sharma shared, "Our marriage is not legal. It is legal and acceptable abroad, but not in India. I talked to my lawyers before the wedding about how to register it, to which they advised it could not be registered and would not be accepted as per law. We could get a live-in relationship certificate.”
Tappu said that she has now stopped working as a makeup artist as Sharma financially supports her. Speaking about their life as a homosexual couple, Sharma said, "I was worried about what my neighbours started saying behind my back…We are happy with our decision."
Anju Sharma and Kavita Tappu hope they can start a family soon. "We want to adopt an orphan child in the future. We are lucky that our families were so understanding," Tappu said. Their marriage highlights the need for legal recognition and societal acceptance of same-sex couples in India.
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