Kathmandu, Dec 1: A local body in Nepal has officially registered the nation’s first same-sex marriage, making the country the second in Asia to give recognition to same-sex couples.
Following the interim order from the Supreme Court issued on June 28, 2023, the Dordi Village Council in Lamjung District of Nepal officially recorded the marriage between Surendra Pandey and Ram Bahadur Gurung aka Maya Gurung on Wednesday.
“As per the orders from the Supreme Court, this marriage has been recorded temporarily,” reads a comment on the marriage certificate issued on the name Surendra Pandey and Ram Bahadur Gurung aka Maya Gurung.
Surendra Pandey and Ram Bahadur Gurung, the same sex couples who earlier had tried to register their marriage at the Kathmandu District Court were sent back denying registration despite the order from Supreme Court. Saddened by the denial from the District Court, the same-sex couple continued their fight to get recognition.
The same sex couple went to the National Identity Card and Registration Department who further directed for the registration of the marriage.
“Supreme Court’s verdict had really increased hope amongst people of our community but the later verdict eroded the expectations of those waiting to get married. But our hope hasn’t really faded, we have been redirected to high-court from the district court. We have been following the court for a month hoping we will be served justice,” Surendra had earlier told ANI in August while he paraded in capital Kathmandu alongside bride Ram Bahadur Gurung.
“Those couples who want to get legally married despite being LGBTQIA+ need not face hurdles. This is not only for us but for others who want to take same step in future,” Ram Bahadur Gurung also known as Maya Gurung had earlier told ANI on August this year. But on Wednesday, the same-sex couple became the first same-sex married couple to have their marriage officially recorded.