Russian lesbian couple thwarts Putin, gets legally married

Russian lesbian couple thwarts Putin, gets legally married
(Image credit: Instagram/all_about_savo)

Gay marriage is emphatically illegal in Russia. On Friday, Irina Shumilova and Alyona Fursova were officially married at city hall in St. Petersburg. The two brides were able to accomplish this feat because Russian legal code defines marriage as "a voluntary consent of a man and a woman," and on her passport, Shumilova is still listed as a man, despite the fact she is well on her way to transitioning from man to woman.

Чудесная свадьба!!)) две прекрасные девушки обручились!)A photo posted by Руслан Саволайнен (@all_about_savo) on Nov 11, 2014 at 7:20am PST

Explore More
Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.