Pride, Culture, and Commitment

The Wedding of Raga D’Silva and Nicola Fenton at Hendon Town Hall. August 13th 2013.

On August 13, 2022, Raga D’Silva and Nicola Fenton got married at Hendon Town Hall in London. They chose this date to align with India’s 75th Independence anniversary – a powerful nod to freedom and identity.

Raga, an Indian-born author and LGBTQ+ advocate, came out as a lesbian at 50. For decades, she lived in silence. She had been married to a man and raised twins, all while hiding her truth. Her journey included trauma, especially after her mother outed her and reacted violently. Because of that, finding love with Nicola became a turning point.

Raga proposed live on a podcast, making history as the first publicly aired LGBTQ+ South Asian proposal. As a result, their wedding wasn’t just a celebration – it was a statement. It stood for visibility, liberation, and joyful defiance of cultural norms.

The day itself was vibrant and deeply personal. Guests were welcomed with a haka. South Indian food was served on banana leaves. Meanwhile, members of the Gay Indian Network in London carried a Pride flag over the couple during the reception. That moment symbolised protection, pride, and solidarity.

I adored this wedding. The joy was tangible, and the pride in living their truth shone through every moment. This was a family that celebrated every aspect of their hard-won freedom. On top of that, they wanted to share their story with the world. They chose me because they felt it was important to have a gay man at the centre of their celebration. That meant everything. It’s exactly why I became a photographer – to be part of moments like this.

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