Is This Egypt's First Gay Marriage?

A new video claims to show Egypt's first gay marriage aboard a Nile felucca. The one-minute long clip begins with the two unidentified males exchanging rings before their pals on the night-time cruise erupt in cheers of celebration for the newly-wed couple.

A specially designed wedding cake is then shown during the underground ceremony - the first of it's kind in Egypt - which is thought to have taken place within the past week on a boat on the Nile.

Despite the groundbreaking clip, gay marriage is still not recognised in Egypt and many gay and lesbian Egyptians face daily persecution for their sexuality.

In 2001, 21 men were handed three-year jail sentences after cops raided a so-called 'gay party' on the Queen Nile boat. Meanwhile 14 men were arrested at a sauna in Cairo's El-Marg district in October last year  and have since been charged with a variety of offences linked to so-called "indecent behaviour." In November, nine men were arrested on similar at a private party in 6th October city.

Meanwhile, the video - which we've chosen not to publish in order to protect the identities of those involved - is already sparking debate among Egyptians.

Scores took to Twitter to congratulate the pair in the hours following the ceremony. However, in many parts of the country, traditional attitudes still prevail.

Here's a sample of the responses: 

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I can't explain how happy i am for the 2 Egyptian gay guys who got married and actually celebrated it with people. thats progress!!

— Pando. (@Halla_Wilson) August 29, 2014

A gay couple got married in Egypt. It's sad that it ain't a real marriage & they'll find them and excercise the laws against them. #LGBT

— Merna. (@Mernz_) August 30, 2014

Because a couple of gay guys getting married is what's really wrong with this country. #Egypt

— Baher Ali (@Baher_Ali_) August 30, 2014

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