Controversy over Indian Bridal Magazine Cover with Trans Activist Alok Vaid-Menon

India Today's bridal platform, 'Brides Today,' has faced backlash after featuring Indian-origin trans activist Alok Vaid-Menon on the cover of its digital magazine. Menon, who was pictured wearing Indian attire and jewelry meant for women, criticized India for not normalizing same-sex marriages and called it a form of institutionalized discrimination.

However, social media users criticized India Today's decision to feature Menon in female attire, with some calling for Sharia law to prevent the spread of such "sick ideologies." This is not the first time Menon has courted controversy, having been accused of sexualizing underage girls in a Facebook post published in 2016.

Recently, the Supreme Court of India formed a five-judge constitution bench to fast-track the hearing on giving recognition to same-sex marriages under the Special Marriage Act, which the government of India has opposed in the apex court.

While Menon's advocacy for LGBTQI+ rights is important, it is crucial to address the issue of horizontal reservation for Dalit trans communities, which hasn't received as much attention.