Is this Russia's first gay wedding?

 

Gay couple Irina Shumilova (left) and Alyona Fursova (right) have become the first lesbian couple to legally wed in Russia. Here they are pictured signing the register after marrying in St Petersburg

 

Irina and Alyona celebrate with a large group of friends and family on the steps at the registry office in St.Petersberg

 

 

 The couple are cheered on by their friends and family as they celebrated their wedding 

 

Irina Shumilova and Alyona Fursova were legally wed in Russia on Friday Nov 07,2014, despite the country's ban on same-sex marriages. 

Irina Shumilova and Alyona Fursova were able to exploit a legal loophole because, despite living as a gay woman, Irina is a transsexual and listed as male on her passport.

Following their nuptials Irina and Alyona were given a legal marriage certificate.A smiling Irina is handed a wedding certificate by their wedding registrar

Note

Russia is known for its discrimination against those in the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community.

 Until 1999 homosexuality was referred to as a mental illness.

And although sexual activity between same-sex consenting adults in private has not been a criminal offence since 1993 there are still strict rules over the propagation of gay rights propaganda.

Indeed, in 2013 a law was put in place banning the distribution of materials promoting the LGBT community to young children.