LGBTQ Nepalis welcome court’s ‘milestone’ marriage decision
- The nation’s Supreme Court has told the government to set up a separate temporary register for marriages of couples belonging to gender and sexual minorities
- Nepal already has some of Asia’s most progressive laws, but rights groups say it lags behind in recognising same-sex relationships
Nepal’s LGBTQ community welcomed on Thursday a Supreme Court interim decision to allow all citizens to register their marriages, including same-sex and transgender couples.
The Supreme Court issued the interim order on Wednesday, directing the government to establish a separate temporary register for marriages of couples belonging to gender and sexual minorities.
While the decision does not need to be ratified by parliament, the government can ask the court questions in its response before a final ruling.
“It is a milestone decision for us and it opens doors to establish marriage equality,” said Pinky Gurung, President of LGBTQ rights group Blue Diamond Society.
Gurung, along with eight others, filed a public service litigation this month seeking equal marriage rights.
Transgender activist Bhumika Shrestha, 35, who has been in a relationship for more than four years, said the decision was a “relief”.
“I cannot express in words how happy I am,” Shrestha said. “Going ahead, we need to ensure that all couples are entitled to rights that are considered a norm for a married man and woman.”
