Androgyne' husband and wife both wear dresses to Moscow registry office wedding in precedent that has confused anti-gay administration

To the casual eye, the two brides pictured in this photograph appear to be tying the knot as part of a modern same-sex marriage.

In fact, they are a heterosexual couple from Russia - where gay and lesbian weddings are strictly forbidden.

But that did not stop the groom, Dmitry Kozhukhov, 23, dressing as a woman for the ceremony - which took place in Moscow. 

Dmitry, who prefers to be called Alina Davis, describes himself as 'androgyne', someone who is unable fit neatly into either gender role. 

And he claims to feel more comfortable as a woman, despite still being attracted to females.

His bride's real identity is not known, though her first name is Alisa, 19, and she is better known in Moscow by her nickname, Alison Brooks. 

The couple married despite official disapproval and outrage from a registry office horrified at the prospect of both bride and groom turning up in dresses. 

Alina said: 'In May, we filled in the application in the registry office, and our appearance did not cause any questions at all, which surprised us.'

'But just a couple of weeks before the wedding they started to call us. When they could not reach us, they called my mother.'

The registry office was concerned that both would arrive in white bridal dresses, as, indeed, they did.

Dmitry Kozhukhov, also called Alina Davis, in wedding dress (left) before marrying wife Alison Brooks (right)