
Nagpur: Beneath the city’s rapid urban and social transformation, a quiet but deeply distressing marital issue is coming to the fore. An increasing number of newly married couples in Nagpur are facing emotional crises after one partner discloses a different sexual orientation only after the wedding, often leaving the other spouse blindsided and traumatised.
Counsellors and social observers attribute this trend largely to intense family pressure, fear of social stigma and the absence of honest conversations before marriage. In many cases, individuals suppress their identity to conform to societal expectations, only for the truth to surface once the marital bond is already formed.
In a recent case reported from the city, a woman returned to her parental home within days of her marriage after overhearing a conversation that raised serious doubts about her husband’s sexual orientation. When confronted, the husband allegedly chose silence, deepening her distress. Subsequent inquiries by her family, they claim, reinforced her suspicions, pushing the marriage into uncertainty almost immediately after it began.
Another incident involved a well-educated woman who married a professional working in Pune and relocated after the wedding. Despite repeated attempts to build emotional and physical closeness, through travel, social outings and communication, the relationship reportedly remained distant. Months later, a confrontation allegedly revealed the underlying reason for the persistent lack of intimacy.
Significantly, experts point out that this phenomenon is not confined to arranged marriages alone. Even love marriages, where couples are presumed to know each other well, have reportedly collapsed after a spouse’s sexual orientation emerged post-wedding.
Mental health professionals say such situations place immense emotional strain on both partners. While some couples attempt to navigate the situation through mutual understanding or discreet arrangements, many marriages eventually break down, leading to separation, prolonged emotional trauma or legal disputes.
Legal experts note that although families often try to resolve these matters privately, cases that reach the courts can involve allegations of deception or breach of trust. However, they caution that outcomes depend entirely on the facts, intent and evidence presented in each case.
With evolving social awareness around identity and relationships, experts stress the urgent need for greater openness, societal acceptance and pre-marital counselling. They argue that honest dialogue before marriage, not silence driven by fear, may be the only way to prevent emotionally devastating marital breakdowns in an increasingly complex social landscape.








