Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Hindu and Jewish women wed in 'UK's first interfaith lesbian marriage'

'I hope many many gay people - no matter what religion or culture they're in - are in loving relationships'

Jon Sharman
Wednesday 16 August 2017 09:47 EDT
Comments
Kalavati Mistry and Miriam Jefferson
Kalavati Mistry and Miriam Jefferson (Pukaar News/SWNS)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A Hindu woman and her Jewish soulmate have married in what is believed to be the UK's first interfaith lesbian wedding.

Kalavati Mistry and Miriam Jefferson met more than 20 years ago on a training course in America, and tied the knot on Saturday in a Hindu ceremony, wearing traditional red-and-white bridal colours.

Ms Mistry, 48, had kept her sexuality a secret for years and said it had been "very difficult for me as an Asian gay woman".

But her friends and family have been "welcoming and embracing" to Ms Jefferson since she revealed their relationship, she said, adding: "I hope many many gay people - no matter what religion or culture they're in - are in loving relationships."

The couple, who both work for an interfaith organisation, married at the Chutney Ivy restaurant in Leicester.

Ms Jefferson revealed they had already had a Jewish wedding in her hometown of San Antonio, Texas, earlier this year.

She told Mail Online: "It's really nice to now have a Hindu wedding here, because it brings both of us together and completes both of us in my eyes."

The couple will return to live in the US after the wedding.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in