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It looked like any other wedding advertisement in Indian newspapers, but this one had one phrase that made it stand out.
A mother put an ad in a tabloid in India, as is tradition, that said "Seeking 25-40, Well Placed, Animal-Loving, Vegetarian Groom for my son (36, 5'11") who works with an NGO."
The phrase Groom for my son was the difference as the advertisement, according to The Guardian, was the first one for a same-sex marriage in the country where homosexuality is still illegal.
The son is prominent Indian activist Harish Iyer.
Iyer said he was proud of her and that the ad was her idea. He told The Guardian, "My mum was like: 'You don't have a boyfriend, you're not so young.' She was concerned for her ageing son like any Indian mum would be, irrespective of whether he is homosexual or heterosexual."
Homosexuality was re-criminalized in India in 2013 by the supreme court. Activist say gay people face discrimination and police harassment, but prosecutions are rare.
Three other newspapers refused to carry the ad due to the fact that it was illegal.
The paper that did publish, the Mumbai daily Mid-Day, said there was never a question of not publishing it.
