愛污传媒

Skip to main content

Same-sex couples and LGBTQ+ rights activists in Nepal celebrate interim court ruling

Participants dance during a gay rally in Pokhara 200 kilometres from Katmandu, Nepal, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012. (Niranjan Shrestha/AP) Participants dance during a gay rally in Pokhara 200 kilometres from Katmandu, Nepal, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012. (Niranjan Shrestha/AP)
Share
KATHMANDU, Nepal -

LGBTQ+ rights activists and couples in Nepal on Thursday were celebrating an interim order issued by the country's Supreme Court enabling the registration of same-sex marriages for the first time.

The Supreme Court issued the order on Wednesday allowing for the temporary registration of marriages for same-sex and non-traditional couples.

The decision represented a leap forward for activists and others who have long sought to amend the laws to permit same-sex marriage and end provisions that limit marriage to heterosexual couples.

鈥淎t a personal level, for those who are living together it is a huge victory. Practically, they can register their marriage and their rights can be immediately exercised,鈥 said Sunil Babu Pant, an openly gay former parliamentarian and leading LGBTQ+ rights activist in Nepal.

鈥淭his is very important because it allows the couple to go and register their marriage and start living as a couple legally,鈥 Pant said.

Since a court decision in 2007 asking the government to make changes in favour of LGBTQ+ people, Nepal has undergone major changes. People who do not identify as female or male are now able to choose 鈥渢hird gender鈥 on their passports and other government documents. The new constitution also explicitly states there can be no discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

The Supreme Court ordered the government to establish a separate register of marriages for same-sex couples. It was not clear when the court would make its final decision on the case.

Same-sex couples were celebrating the court order.

Surendra Pandey and his partner Maya Gurung said they were relieved to be able to finally register their marriage with the authorities.

The couple got married six years ago at a temple following Hindu tradition with a priest conducting the rituals among friends and family. They have not received any certificate to show their marriage is legal.

鈥淚 am overwhelmed with joy because of this decision and it is a day of commemoration for our community,鈥 Gurung said. 鈥淭his court ruling has established that we are equal citizens of this country.鈥

The couple said they would likely have to wait a few more days to register with the government, but would continue to campaign until the laws are permanently changed in the country.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

The federal government allowed 30-year mortgage amortizations for first-time homebuyers purchasing new builds in August, and the new rules are set to expand in December to everyone looking to buy a newly-constructed home.

U.S. authorities earlier this year knew the whereabouts of a former Canadian Olympian who is now on the run for allegedly running a transnational drug trafficking ring and orchestrating murders in Ontario, according to Ontario court documents.

Local Spotlight

A new resident at a Manitoba animal rescue has waddled her way into people's hearts.

Hundreds of people ran to the music of German composer and pianist Beethoven Wednesday night in a unique race in Halifax.

He is a familiar face to residents of a neighbourhood just west of Roncesvalles Avenue.

A meteor lit up our region's sky last night 鈥 with a large fireball shooting across the horizon over Lake Erie at around 7:00 p.m.

Residents of Ottawa's Rideauview neighbourhood say an aggressive wild turkey has become a problem.

A man who lost his life while trying to rescue people from floodwaters, and a 13-year-old boy who saved his family from a dog attack, are among the Nova Scotians who received a medal for bravery Tuesday.

A newly minted Winnipegger is hoping a world record attempt will help bring awareness for the need for more pump track facilities in the city.

A Springfield, Ont. man is being hailed a 'hero' after running into his burning home to save his two infant children.

Hortense Anglin was the oldest graduate to make her way across the platform at York University's Fall Convocation ceremony this week. At the age of 87, she graduated with an Honours degree in Religious Studies.