TL;DR
- Nepal’s Supreme Court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage on June 18, 2026.
- The ruling mandates the government to ensure marriage equality.
- Activists hail the decision as a historic milestone for LGBTQ rights.
- The verdict reinforces constitutional principles for same-sex couples.
- Local LGBTQ+ groups document 35 same-sex marriages in Nepal.
In a groundbreaking move that has sent shockwaves of joy through the LGBTQ community, the Supreme Court of Nepal has officially ruled in favor of same-sex marriage. This monumental decision, handed down on June 18, 2026, is being celebrated as a historic milestone for equality in a country that has long struggled with issues of sexual orientation and gender identity.
Campaigners are popping the champagne, and who can blame them? The court’s ruling comes with a binding directive order, compelling the government to ensure marriage equality for all. This follows a 2023 interim ruling that provisionally recognized same-sex marriage, albeit with a somewhat shaky implementation. But now, the court has put its foot down, dismissing any counter-petitions that dared to oppose this progressive step.
Sunil Babu Pant, a prominent human rights activist and former politician, couldn’t contain his excitement. He described the ruling as “a historic milestone for equality, dignity, and human rights in Nepal.” Pant emphasized that this decision brings crucial legal clarity and protection for same-sex couples, reinforcing the constitutional principles established in previous landmark cases.
The Blue Diamond Society, a local LGBTQ+ rights organization, also welcomed this historic directive order. In a jubilant statement, they declared, “The freedom to marry the person you love is a guarantee under Nepal’s Constitution.” They highlighted that this ruling marks the fourth Supreme Court decision over nearly two decades affirming the rights of the gender and sexual minority community.
But wait, there’s more! Nepal officially registered its first LGBTQ+ marriage on November 29, 2023, between a trans woman and a cisgender man, who had been waiting for official recognition since their marriage in 2017. Talk about a long-awaited celebration of love!
With this victory, the court decisively dismissed a counter-writ petition that aimed to block these rights. Local LGBTQ rights groups have documented at least 35 same-sex marriages, with nine confirmed by local media. It’s clear that love knows no bounds in Nepal, and now, it has the legal backing to prove it.
As the dust settles on this historic ruling, one thing is abundantly clear: Nepal is stepping into a new era of love and equality, setting a powerful example for the rest of the world. Cheers to love, cheers to equality, and cheers to a brighter future for all!