The UK’s first lesbian interfaith wedding has taken place in Leicester between a Hindu woman and her Jewish partner.
In the traditional Hindu ceremony, Kalavati Mistry and Miriam Jefferson wore red and white bridal colours with floral garlands and mangala sutra necklaces.
“I really value the traditions of the culture and to me, I wanted to spend the life with someone in a union and in a bond and some of the rituals that you do in a wedding are very important to me. I wanted Miriam and I to join in that union,” Mistry told Pukaar News.
A local Hindu priest—Chanda Vyas—officiated the ceremony and said she was “was honoured to be a part of it and to be able to help make Kalavati’s Hindu wedding dream, a reality.”
The couple met over 20 years ago at a diversity training course in the United States.
Mistry says that although her family have embraced Miriam, she initially kept her sexuality hidden from them.
"It was initially very difficult for me as an Asian gay woman. I knew from a very young age that I was gay,” she told the Daily Mail.
“I knew during my teenage years that I was and it was very difficult, trying to tell your friends and family and honour the traditions. So it's very difficult.
“Once I told my friends and family a few years ago, they were very warm, welcoming and embracing to Miriam, which is very important.”
The couple also had a traditional Jewish wedding in San Antonio, Texas earlier this year—where Jefferson is originally from.
“I think I will follow the Hindu faith and I will follow some of the Jewish traditions and I would like to celebrate both and embrace both Hinduism as well as Judaism,’ said Mistry.
Jefferson says that while she’s “probably less invested” in the institution of marriage, she knew how important it was for Mistry.
“Because her traditions and her culture are so important to her, it was important to me. My traditions are also very important to me.
“I feel like times are changing for the better. Some people have beliefs or fears that make it hard to embrace gay marriage. I feel like that's going to change.
“As people get more comfortable, as people find out that people they already know and love are gay, they want what's best for them.
“Mostly, I think we're going in the right direction. It's hard to be against love. The wedding was wonderful.
“I got to spend an entire day with somebody I adore and love and want to spend my life with, surrounded by people who I have been close to my entire life and people who have recently embraced me as one of their own, so it’s a pretty wonderful way to celebrate.”
Check out photos from the happy couple's wedding here.
