The U.S. Ambassador to Nepal, Dean R. Thompson, took to the social media platform ‘X’ on Friday to celebrate the registration of the first same-sex marriage in a village in Nepal. The ambassador posted a photo of the newlyweds, Surendra Pandey and Maya Gurung, expressing his congratulations and emphasizing the significance of this milestone.
“Congratulations to Surendra Pandey and Maya Gurung on the registration of their marriage! While this has been a long road for both of them, this is an important milestone for so many. Thanks to everyone who helped make this possible,” Ambassador Thompson wrote.
The registration took place at the Dordi rural municipality office in the Lumjung district on Wednesday, where local authorities officially recognized the marriage between Maya Gurung, a 36-year-old individual born male but identifying as female, and Surendra Pandey, a 26-year-old who identifies as male.
The couple had previously celebrated a Hindu marriage ceremony in 2016 in the capital, Kathmandu. However, the formal registration of their marriage had been delayed until now.
This historic moment comes five months after the Supreme Court of Nepal issued an interim order, clearing the way for same-sex marriages in the predominantly conservative country. In June, the court’s decision allowed same-sex couples to register their marriages, providing a significant step towards recognizing the rights of sexual and gender minorities.
Sunil Babu Pant, the founder of the Blue Diamond Society, Nepal’s leading gay rights organization, hailed the event as a victory for the LGBTQ+ community. Pant emphasized that this development fulfills the long-standing demand for equal rights, including the recognition of same-sex marriages.
Nepal joins Taiwan as the only places in Asia to have legalized same-sex marriage. In a region where societal norms often remain conservative, this milestone in Nepal marks a significant step forward in recognizing and embracing the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.
01st Dec 2023
Comments