In a groundbreaking development, Nepal has marked a significant milestone in LGBTQ rights by officially recognizing the marriage of an LGBTQ couple, Maya Gurung and Surendra Pandey. The Himalayan nation has emerged as a trailblazer in Asia, becoming one of the first countries in the region to allow same-sex marriages.
A Hard-Won Victory for LGBTQ Rights
After 23 years of relentless struggle, Maya Gurung and Surendra Pandey achieved this historic feat, marking a momentous step forward for LGBTQ rights in Nepal. Sunil Babu Pant, an openly gay former parliamentarian and prominent LGBTQ rights activist, lauded the achievement as he witnessed the couple’s marriage registration at the local administration office in Dorje village, situated in the picturesque mountains west of Kathmandu.
Overcoming Initial Obstacles
The road to official recognition was far from smooth. Initially, officials had refused to register the marriage, prompting the couple and Sunil Babu Pant to file cases with the Kathmandu District Court and High Court. Unfortunately, their pleas were initially rejected. However, earlier this year, Nepal’s supreme court issued an interim order that paved the way for the registration of same-sex marriages for the first time.
A Positive Change in the Landscape
This week, the Home Ministry made significant changes to the process, enabling all local administration offices to register same-sex marriages. Sunil Babu Pant described this unexpected turn of events as a “positive breeze” and emphasized the significance of this achievement for the LGBTQ community.
Nepal’s Ongoing Transformation
Nepal’s journey towards LGBTQ rights and inclusion has been marked by notable milestones. Following a 2007 court decision urging the government to make changes in favor of LGBTQ people, the country introduced the option of selecting a “third gender” on passports and other government documents for those who do not identify strictly as female or male. The constitution, adopted in 2015, explicitly prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, reaffirming Nepal’s commitment to equal rights for all its citizens.
This historic recognition of Maya Gurung and Surendra Pandey’s marriage not only represents a significant victory for LGBTQ rights in Nepal but also sets a positive example for the broader Asian region, where many nations are still grappling with issues related to LGBTQ equality.