India’s first ‘gay groom’ wanted ad has a caste preference

Mumbai-based gay rights activist and former Stream guest, Harrish Iyer, was hit with a wave of criticism after his mother added a caste preference to his historic matrimonial advertisement.

Iyer’s mother, Padma, placed India’s first ‘gay groom’ wanted ad in Mid-Day newspaper on Tuesday after several other publications rejected her request.

The ad, which sought a “animal-loving, vegetarian” groom, came under fire for also stating a caste preference. Padma Iyer added “Iyer preferred”, referring to an upper caste community of Brahmins. 

While a number of people praised the ad as a positive move for LGBT rights in India, others questioned the mention of caste.