Nepal registers first same-sex marriage

By: Pune Pulse

December 1, 2023

Pune : The Supreme Court’s legalization of same-sex marriage in Nepal has been officially recorded with the country’s first such marriage taking place five months later.

According to reports, a legal marriage between a 35-year-old transgender woman named Maya Gurung and a 27-year-old gay man named Surendra Pandey took place in Dordi Rural Municipality, located in the Lamjung district of Western Nepal.

Nepal has become the pioneer in South Asia to officially acknowledge and record a same-sex marriage after the ruling of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court of Nepal had already authorized same-sex marriage in 2007, and this position was further solidified by the 2015 constitution, which explicitly prohibits any form of discrimination based on sexual orientation.

An interim order was issued by the Supreme Court on June 27, 2023, in response to a writ petition filed by individuals, including Gurung, to legalize same-sex marriage in Nepal. This decision was groundbreaking, but unfortunately, the Kathmandu District Court rejected the move four months ago due to the lack of necessary legal frameworks.

As per the information provided, the marriage application of Surendra Pandey and Maya was rejected at that time. Pinky, a member of the third gender community in Nepal, expressed their delight and considered it a significant achievement. They welcomed the decision, stating that it was not only the first case in Nepal but also in the entire South Asia region. Surendra, who is from Nawalparasi district, and Maya, originally from Lamjung district, had entered into a traditional marriage with the approval of their families.

Pinky emphasized that numerous couples belonging to the third-gender community are currently deprived of their identities and rights, and this development will greatly assist them. She further stated that this progress has paved the way for other individuals within the community to have their marriages legally recognized. Pinky also mentioned that their marriages have been provisionally registered and will receive permanent recognition automatically once the required laws are formulated.