Gay man banned from mosque weds in UK's first same-sex Muslim marriage
A man who almost killed himself after being attacked over his sexuality has married the man who came to his rescue in what is believed to be Britain's first same-sex Muslim marriage.
Jahed Choudhury, aged 24, tied the knot with Sean Rogan, 19, at a low-key ceremony at an English Midlands registry office, wearing traditional Muslim golden Sherwanis.
Mr Choudhury, the son of Bangladeshi parents, said he was one of only a small number of openly-gay Muslim men and was bullied and no longer welcome in the mosque he had been attending for 15 years.
"It went all over school, people would spit on me, empty the rubbish bins on me, call me pig and the Muslim people would shout 'harum' - which is a very nasty insult in my language," he told Express and Star news.
"I tried killing myself and I then met Sean.
"I'd not long overdosed and I was crying on a bench and Sean came over and asked if I was okay."
"He gave me hope at one of my lowest points and he's stood by me all the way."
The pair's union was celebrated without Mr Choudhury's family, who the newlywed said was "too embarrassing for them".
"They think it's a disease and can be cured, some of my family still call it a phase.
"I want to say to all people going through the same thing that's it's okay – we're going to show the whole world that you can be gay and Muslim."
If you are concerned about the mental health of yourself or a loved one, seek support and information by calling Lifeline 13 11 14, the Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467, or Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 36.
