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Death Threats Follow Pakistan's First Gay Wedding


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Death Threats Follow Pakistan's First Gay Wedding

by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

Posted: October 5, 2005 5:00 pm ET

(Lahore) A gay couple has been told to leave Pakistani or be killed after the two men exchanged vows in a traditional ceremony in a remote village.

The Times of India reports that the threats came from village elders in the conservative Islamic region near the famed Khyber Pass.

The paper says that a 42-year-old Afghan refugee fell in love with a 16 year old villager and offered his family a "dowry" of 40,000 rupees - about $650.

The family readily accepted. Arranged marriages of 16 year olds is not uncommon in Pakistan, but this is the first known instance where another male was involved.

The marriage was held amid usual pomp and show associated with a tribal wedding, the Times reported.

"When I came to know that it was a gay marriage I left the party without taking food," tribal elder Millat Khan told the paper.

A tribal assembly, or jirga, in the remote area told the newlyweds on Wednesday to leave the area immediately or face death for "breaking all the religious and tribal values and ethics", according to Khan.

Sodomy is punishable by death in Pakistan.

©365Gay.com 2005

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