Nepal Celebrates Its First Same-Sex Marriage
Nepal celebrates a historic milestone as local authorities officially register the nation's first same-sex marriage This progressive move comes after the Supreme Court's interim order, granting recognition and paving the way for such marriages in the traditionally conservative country
Local officials and activists confirmed that the first same-sex marriage in Nepal was officially registered in a village on Wednesday, following an interim court order allowing such marriages in the traditionally conservative country.
People wearing colourful costume take part in the Gay pride parade in Kathmandu, Nepal, August 8, 2017.
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Nepal has the potential to become a major LGBTQ travel destination, exemplified by the recent formal registration of the marriage between 36-year-old Ram Bahadur (Maya) Gurung, a transgender woman, and 26-year-old Surendra Pandey, a cisgender man, at the Dordi rural municipality office in the Lumjung district.
Pandey expressed, "We're thrilled and so are our fellow community members." In a phone interview, Pandey revealed that they have been together for nine years and were married in 2016 in Kathmandu, following Hindu customs.
"The marriage registration certificate has been issued to the couple in accordance with the Supreme Court order and directives from relevant government authorities," stated Hem Raj Kafle, Dordi rural municipality's chief administrative officer. The Supreme Court of the country issued an interim order in June, permitting same-sex couples to register their marriages until a final verdict is reached.
Supporters await the verdict at the Supreme Court of India on October 17, 2023.
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Sunil Babu Pant, creator of the Blue Diamond Society, Nepal's prominent LGBTQ+ rights organization, hailed it as a significant win for sexual and gender minorities who have been advocating for equal rights, including the legal recognition of their marriages.
"It's a historic moment," said Pant, a former legislator, emphasizing that this registration marks a groundbreaking first in South Asia. "This milestone will allow them to have the same rights as any other couples, such as jointly opening bank accounts and owning and transferring property."
Taiwan is the sole Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage in a region that is predominantly conservative.
Nepal, with a Hindu-majority population, has made significant strides in progressive policies since the end of a decade-long Maoist insurgency in 2006. In 2008, political parties voted to abolish the 239-year-old Hindu monarchy, a major demand of the Maoists. Now, the former chief commander of the Maoists is the prime minister, leading a coalition government with the centrist Nepali Congress party.
