#GoodNews: Kolkata Transgender Couple to Marry in Social Ceremony

Image used for representational purposes. 

(Photo: AP)

Kolkata-based transwoman Tista Das, who is set to get married in a social ceremony to Dipan Chakraborty, a transman, strictly believes that love connects two souls and that it goes much beyond any gender bias.

The two will take the wedding vows following all rituals on 5 August.

Tista, 38, known for her stint in Sohini Dasgupta's documentary ‘I Couldn't Be Your Son, Mom’ and short film ‘The Third Gender’, provided medico-legal services to transgenders at a centre called SRS Solutions Kolkata.

Chakraborty, a resident of Assam, met Das when he visited the centre for consultation. "He was in a bitter relationship with his ex-girlfriend and it was quite an abusive relationship. I also have my own bitter past. I guided him during this phase and a friendship grew between us," Das told over phone.

She disclosed how his fiancee had confided in a mutual friend regarding his romantic feelings for Das. But she wouldn't be satisfied without a direct proposal.

“So, almost seven months back he proposed formally and we announced our marriage on social media on 15 April, which is our National Transgender Day,” she said.

However, the announcement of a social marriage wasn't welcomed by all. Even some members of the LGBTQ community raised certain questions.

"Many people from our community have questioned my choice of marrying a transman. If they talk about solidarity, then why are they raising such questions? For me, love is all about the connection of two good souls and it is not a gender-biased issue," Das said.

She believes that sexual preference can never beat the kind of a person with whom one gets involved in a relationship. Everyone should have the right to choose their own life partner.

Das, who is busy with shopping and other preparations for the wedding, revealed that the content of their wedding card is also different.

The couple feels those who believe in gender-right equality should attend the wedding ceremony of a trans-couple.

Both of them had undergone sex reassignment surgery (SRS) process in the past and have highlighted the fact in the wedding invite. The couple will throw a joint reception at Agarpara in North 24 Parganas district.