Courtney and Natasha Sass-Singh.
Image: Supplied
WHEN Courtney and Natasha Sass-Singh’s wedding photos were published on an online news site, the Ferndale, Randburg couple expected to relive the joy of their special day.
Instead, Courtney Sass-Singh, an oncology practice manager and her wife, Natasha Sass-Singh, a corporate chef, were confronted with a wave of online hate because they are a same-sex couple.
The post drew a stream of homophobic and derogatory comments from online users.
The couple’s love story began unexpectedly.
“We met in 2022 when Natasha came for a physiotherapy appointment at the practice where I was the manager at the time. I asked her out for coffee as a patient and that was the beginning of our story,” Courtney recalled.
She said their first impressions of each other was memorable, and amusing.
“My first impression of her was that she was quiet, reserved, and maybe just a little bit snobbish. Natasha’s version differed slightly. She said I came down the stairs with so much energy that she did not quite know what to do with me.”
Their relationship intensified quickly. Courtney proposed just six months after they met, on December 4 that same year.
“I already knew she was the person I wanted to spend my life with, so I did not see the need to wait,” she said.
A year later, Natasha proposed in return on their anniversary.
“She wanted me to experience that feeling too. It was romantic, intimate, and very ‘us.’”
Courtney and Natasha Sass-Singh at their wedding.
Image: Supplied
For the couple, their wedding was about more than a legal union, it was about faith, honesty and visibility.
Courtney, who is Christian, and Natasha, who is Hindu, celebrated both traditions. They held a traditional hurdee and high tea ceremony, followed by a combined Christian and Hindu ceremony.
“For me, our wedding represented the union of two faiths, Christianity and Hinduism, coming together in one beautiful ceremony.
“It showed the world that two women could honour their beliefs and still build a spiritual home together,” Courtney said.
However, not everyone chose to celebrate with them.
Both of their living parents did not attend the wedding, a decision the couple said was painful but respected.
“That was painful, but it was their decision, and we respected it. However, many of our siblings and extended family embraced us with love and grace. Their support carried us through.”
The couple said the emotional weight of rejection was not new to them.
“We have had our relationship feel invalidated more than once. We have experienced it from certain family members, outsiders, and even in professional spaces. But we remained grounded in what we knew - we love each other, and that is enough.”
The online backlash following the publication of their wedding photos was another test of that resolve.
“We were not initially aware of it,” Natasha said.
“Friends alerted us about the post, and told us about the online comments. With the hate comments under our picture, I struggled to understand how love could provoke such strong negativity. It was disheartening. ‘We made the papers.’ I refused to let hate overshadow our joy.”
Natasha added that over time, her perspective shifted.
“I try to find humour in it. I don’t see hate anymore, I see ignorance. That shift has given me peace.”
Courtney and Natasha Sass-Singh at their hurdee night.
Image: Supplied
She emphasised that the support they received far outweighed the negativity.
“Many people reminded us that there are far greater issues in the world than two women choosing to love each other. To the hateful comments, I would say there are much bigger problems in the world that deserve attention. Two women building a life together is not a crisis. Love is not a threat.”
Faith has been central to their journey, even when it has been complicated. Natasha shared that she experienced rejection within parts of her church community.
“I was told our relationship was not from God. I have had moments in religious spaces where we had to present ourselves as ‘friends’ rather than partners.”
Yet she says her faith remains strong.
“If we are created in God’s image, then there is nothing inherently wrong with who we are. My faith strengthens my marriage, it does not threaten it.”
The couple said living openly had brought clarity.
“When you live openly, you quickly learn who your people are, and that clarity is a blessing. In public we do receive stares and sometimes whispers. But we have learned that other people’s discomfort is not our responsibility. We hold hands anyway. We show up anyway.”
Courtney and Natasha Sass-Singh.
Image: Supplied
Natasha believes society was slowly changing.
“I believe 2026 is safer than it once was. Our peers and colleagues understand that love is love. There’s still work to be done, but there is visible progress.”
She hopes for a future where children can grow up without fear.
“I hope for a world where a child can express who they are and be met with openness. I hope parents allow their children to be exactly who they are, instead of trying to reshape them to fit an outdated mould.”
Her advice to others navigating similar journeys is heartfelt.
“It will not always be easy. You may lose certain relationships. But living truthfully is far healthier than living a lie. I realised I was gay at a young age and spent years trying to meet society’s expectations. That nearly broke me.”
“The people who remain, after the fear and the noise, are your true foundation and always remember: you were created intentionally. You were created in God’s image. There is nothing wrong with you. Be true to yourself. Always,” said Natasha.
The image, which shows the newlyweds smiling and embracing on their special day, received congratulatory messages from friends and supporters.