In the picturesque region of western Nepal, an exuberant celebration unfolded, marking the end of a historic day for Maya Gurung and Surendra Pandey, who became the first same-sex couple in South Asia to have their marriage legally recognized. As the night turned into early morning, family and friends, along with their faithful companion Suru the dog, reveled in the joyous occasion.
Maya Gurung, a 37-year-old transgender woman, and Surendra Pandey, a 27-year-old cisgender man, basked in the moment, their necks adorned with pink and orange garlands of flowers. Gurung expressed her elation, saying, “Finally, we are completely together, finally we are completely each other’s, finally we can perform each other’s funeral if we die tomorrow.” Pandey echoed her sentiments, exclaiming, “Yes, we won it, we did it. We can have a beautiful future now.”
This landmark moment was made possible by a ruling from Nepal’s supreme court, issued six months ago. The court directed the government to establish a separate register for same-sex and transgender marriages until formal legislation could be enacted. Although Nepal’s constitution had already permitted same-sex marriages since 2007, successive governments had failed to bring forward the necessary legislation.
However, this newfound freedom was not without its challenges for Gurung and Pandey, who had already celebrated their union in a Hindu wedding ceremony in 2017. The legal recognition of their marriage proved elusive, as both courts and local government offices initially refused to register it.
Gurung lamented the situation, saying, “We were married socially but officially we were still single. We could not open a joint account, buy property together, or even conduct a legal funeral if either of us passed away.” Fortunately, after persistent efforts and overcoming legal hurdles, their hometown in Lamjung district eventually agreed to register their marriage.
Pinky Gurung, who leads Blue Diamond Society Nepal, a organization supporting the LGBTQ+ community, praised the villagers for their humanity and support in this journey. This groundbreaking marriage has instilled hope in other LGBTQ+ couples across the region, inspiring them to seek recognition and legitimacy for their unions.
As South Asia takes this monumental step towards LGBTQ+ equality, couples like Manila Neupane and Prakash Chaudhari are preparing to register their own unions, while Bhakti Shah and Ramila Shrestha eagerly await the legal recognition of their long-standing partnership. With amended marriage registration forms now in place to accommodate same-sex and transgender couples, Nepal is poised to lead the way in the region, setting an example of inclusivity and progress.
For Gurung and Pandey, armed with their newly acquired marriage certificate, the celebration continues as they dance into the future, breaking free from societal constraints and embracing the love they have long shared. Gurung’s family, who once forced her into a marriage she did not desire, now joins in the festivities, celebrating her journey to authenticity and acceptance.