Wanted: Groom for animal-loving son
Social media has been abuzz with a matrimonial ad posted recently. Yes, a matrimonial. So what one might say? After all, these are a dime a dozen. However, this one is a tad bit different. This ad, posted by a concerned mother, advertises for a groom for her vegetarian, animal-loving son. This is possibly India’s first gay matrimonial ad.
The ad says:
“Seeking 25-40, Well Placed, Animal-Loving, Vegetarian GROOM for my SON (36, 5’11’’) who works with an NGO, Caste No Bar (Though IYER Preferred)..”
The son in this case is Harish Iyer, well-known LGBT activist. Iyer and his mother have, in the last couple of years, been on national TV during debates about Section 377 of the Indian Penal Act. According to The Guardian, three major dailies refused to run the advert on the grounds that it was illegal to do so. (While homosexuality was re-criminalised in the 2013 ruling, it remains to be seen if carrying an advert is illegal).
Social media of course has had a last say with several people applauding Iyer’s mother but commenting that the ad does have a caste angle. It says “Caste no bar (though Iyer preferred)”. The Guardian quotes Iyer as saying that he didn’t think his mother really meant that but it was more about finding someone from a similar background and language.
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