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A-listers Commemorate The Historic Passage Of The Respect For Marriage Act At NYC Desi Rainbow Fundraiser

Pure love is in the air.

Members of the South Asian community gathered in Manhattan, New York (Feb. 16) to celebrate the passage of The Respect for Marriage Act.

Credit: Desi Rainbow

The Desi Rainbow foundation held the star-studded fundraiser at Sona, a Michelin-star eatery known for its modern flavors of India with an east coast twist. On December 13, 2022, President Joe Biden signed the bipartisan Respect for Marriage Act, which protects same-sex and interracial couples.

“The road to this moment has been long, but those who believe in equality and justice, you never gave up,” Biden previously said on the White House South Lawn. “So many of you put your relationships on the line, your jobs on the line, your lives on the line, to fight for the law I’m about to sign. For me and the entire nation: Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Credit: Desi Rainbow

This act declares that all states must acknowledge same-sex marriages. LGBTQ+ couples do have the same federal benefits as any married pair.

According to The Desi Rainbow official website, Allies work together to create a safe space for South Asian families and friends of the LGBTQ+ community. The organization touches upon issues regarding gender identity and sexual orientation.

The guest list included notable South Asian celebs such as Kal Penn, Sarita Chowdhury from “And Just Like That,” trans activist Armaan Ali, fashion designer Prabal Gurung, songwriter-producer Benji Pasek, Anjula Acharia, Shamina Singh, and many more. While some attendees snacked on delectable bites, others danced the night away or drank exquisite cocktails.

Credit: Desi Rainbow

The Desi Rainbow Parents & Allies board chairperson, Rayman Kaur Mathoda, delivered a chilling speech that left party-goers with goosebumps. Mathoda opened up about her coming out story and what it was like to be raised in a homophobic community. While pinpointing the Desi Rainbow mission, she stressed her endless fight for inclusivity and acceptance.

During the speeches, Opal Vadhan, aide to VP Kamala Harris, and Gautam Raghavan, Director of White House Presidential Personnel, delivered a personal letter from President Biden. The surprise emphasized the importance of fighting for LGBTQ+ equality.

Learn more about the Desi Rainbow Parents & Allies, here. How will you show your pride and celebrate the historic act? Let us know by leaving a reaction below and tweeting us at @celebsecrets.

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