This paper recently carried a report about a Sanskrit teacher who conducts gay marriages. Though these weddings do not have legal sanction, several same-sex couples do hold ceremonies with all the rituals and sometimes, celebrations of a heterosexual marriage.

The Sanskrit scholar stated that there has been no trouble so far in these marriages, but many are usually ‘discreet’ with them held indoors so that there is no trouble.

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It is time for these ceremonies to be ‘out’ like the individuals. Same-sex couples should feel safe having celebrations, parties, gatherings just like heterosexual couples do.

They need to own the spaces and not feel diffident or fearful to inhabit them. There are places termed ‘gay-friendly’, which is simply a euphemism for gay people feeling safe there. Time to change that narrative and usher in a time where places do not have to specify that they are ‘gay friendly’ whatever that means. As the Supreme Court reserves its verdict on same sex marriages, we must ensure that not all ‘history’ or ‘change’ is made by the courts, but on the ground, too.