A man who fell in love with a Transgender woman while they were both in prison together has married her after she was released from prison.
Monae, 29, first caught Adriel’s eye when the pair were both working in the laundry room.
The couple found dating tough behind bars and faced hostility from both fellow inmates and prison staff.
They got together whenever they could, meeting in the library or the gym for movie nights.
In spite of the opposition they faced Adriel proposed to Monae and they initially hoped to get married when they were both still inmates but ultimately had to wait until Monae was released to get the right paperwork.
Despite opposition from prison officials and inmates they still made out time for each other and spent quality time during dinners, movie nights and even read at the library together while in prison.
Before Adriel left the prison, he proposed to Monae and even though they hoped to marry while they were both still inmates they had to wait until Monae was released.
Adriel speaking to Truly said: ‘I think being inside was the foundation that made our relationship. ‘I saw Monae at her lowest, Monae saw me at my lowest. I saw her at her happiest, she’s seen me at my happiest.’
‘We wanted to get married as inmates in the prison but there was no policy in place to marry two inmates at the time’.
Monae added: ‘We had that unique bond in prison, so I guess what makes us stronger.’
Immediately Monae left prison she rushed to have top and bottom surgery ahead of their wedding day. Monae’s mother and godfather were the only family members that attended .
Adriel said: ‘I got my hair braided, I got my state browns pressed with starch and all that. It was in the visiting room. Nobody was there, it was just me, Monae, Monae’s mother, Monae’s godfather, a couple of councilors, union manager and the lady that officiated the wedding and the reverend.’
