Same-Sex Marriage, In a historic move, Nepal, having adopted its Constitution in 2015, boldly prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation. Notably, it became the inaugural South Asian country to document a case of same-sex marriage officially.
This noteworthy event unfolded in the Dordi Rural Municipality of Lamjung district, Western Nepal, where the legal recognition of the union between 35-year-old trans-woman Maya Gurung and 27-year-old gay man Surendra Pandey took place.
Legal Progression for Same-Sex Marriage in Nepal
As far back as 2007, Nepal’s Supreme Court paved the way for same-sex marriage, laying the groundwork for recent groundbreaking developments.
By June 27, 2023, the Supreme Court issued an interim order in response to a writ petition, temporarily legalizing same-sex marriage. This marked a significant stride towards acknowledging the rights of the LGBTQ+ community in Nepal.
A Brief Setback
Despite the interim order, the journey to same-sex marriage encountered a setback four months ago when the Kathmandu District Court rejected the marriage applications of Surendra Pandey and Maya Gurung.
The rejection was rooted in the absence of specific laws addressing same-sex marriage, emphasizing the need for legislative support.
Maya and Surendra’s Resilience
Surendra Pandey, a 27-year-old gay man from Nawalparasi district, and Maya Gurung, a 35-year-old trans-woman from Lamjung district, exhibited resilience and commitment in their relationship.
Despite societal challenges, the couple, who had been living together as husband and wife for the past six years, sought approval from their families and traditionally formalized their union.
Also Read | World AIDS Day: Uniting to End the HIV/AIDS Epidemic 2023 |
Historic Significance for the Third Gender Community
Sanjib Gurung (Pinky), president of the Blue Diamond Society—an organization advocating for the rights and welfare of sexual minorities in Nepal—expressed immense satisfaction at this historic development. Pinky emphasized that this achievement is significant for Nepal and the entire South Asian region.
It sets a precedent for the recognition and validation of the third-gender community, offering hope and encouragement to those who have lived without their identities and rights.
Opening Doors for Legal Recognition
The broader impact of this initial same-sex marriage registration signals the commencement of positive change for the third-gender community.
Essential laws will be formulated to provide automatic permanent recognition, empowering more individuals within the LGBTQ+ community to seek legal acknowledgment for their unions.
Important Questions Related to Exams
Question: Which South Asian nation is the first to officially register a same-sex marriage?
Answer: Nepal
Question: In what year was the Constitution of Nepal adopted?
Answer: 2015
Question: Who is the current Prime Minister of Nepal in 2023?
Answer: Pushpa Kamal Dahal