Scene from the award-winning 2020 documentary Sologamy
Sologamy or autogamy is marriage by a person to themself. Critics argue that the practice is not legally binding, unlike traditional marriage.[1] whilst supporters of the practice argue that it affirms one's value[2] and leads to a happier life.[3][4]
An alternative term is self-marriage[5][6] or self-cest (selfcest), but this may also refer to a self-uniting marriage, which is a marriage without an officiant.[7]
Ceremonies
Ceremonies in a self-marriage may take almost the same form as that of a traditional marriage, which includes guests, a cake, and a reception.[8] Some self-marrying programs include giving guidance, practice, and support before the marriage.[9]
Self-marriage has become increasingly popular in the 21st century, especially among affluent women.[8][10] As of 2014[update], a travel agency in Kyoto is offering self-marriage packages for women, with some customers being wives who were dissatisfied with their original wedding.[11] Some media outlets also reported the self-marriage of a British photographer in 2014[12] and an Italian fitness trainer in 2017.[8][13] In June 2022, Kshama Bindu, an Indian woman from Gujarat, married herself, following all rituals and customs of a traditional Hindu wedding. This was noted as India's first sologamy.[14][15] She identified herself as bisexual and her reason for marrying herself is that she always wanted to be a bride but not a wife.[16]
In July 2023, the Italian visual artist Elena Ketra brought the digital performance ‘Sologamy.org‘ in an international preview in Rome, presented by the Fondazione Solares delle Arti.[17] For the first time, all the people could marry themselves online, entering their data to a touchscreen. They could also obtain a free certificate attesting to their sologamous marriage.
Sologamy is the subject of the award-winning 2010 British short comedy film The Man Who Married Himself, based on a short story by Charlie Fish that was first published in 1999.[22]
In the 2016 Ben Stiller movie Zoolander 2, the nonbinary model All (portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch) is married to themself, as it is told that "monomarriage is finally legal in Italy".
