Two people in Nepal have made history by becoming the first 'transgender couple’ to legally marry.
Transgender woman Monika Shahi Nath and her husband Ramesh Nath Yogi legally registered their union in Dadeldhura, western Nepal last month.
"I have successfully registered my marriage with my husband," Nath said at a press conference in Kathmandu.
"This is also my attempt to awaken our government to make legal changes. Others like me should also have the right to marry the person they love," she told AFP.
Nath legally identifies as Nepal’s third gender—which was introduced following a 2007 Supreme Court decision.
However, despite the progress made by the country’s LGBT+ rights movement, there is still no legislation pertaining to same-sex or transgender unions—which could jeopardise the newlywed couple’s marriage.
“Validity of the same-sex or third-sex marriage can be questioned even after marriage registration if it is against the existing laws," said Deepak Kafle, Home Ministry spokesman.
Pinky Gurung is the president of Nepal’s Blue Diamond Society—Nepal’s largest LGBT+ organisation and said that it was "the beginning".
"But we need to see the government take action to legalise marriages for our community and enact the necessary laws," said Gurung.
Nepal Pride
Over the weekend, hundreds of Nepal’s LGBT+ community gathered in Kathmandu to march for equal rights.
“Every year we celebrate a pride festival to show that we want to be recognised in this society with our different identity, that we are a part of this society,” said Gurung.
On the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) this year, Nepal flew the rainbow flag for the very first time, in the hopes of raising awareness about the country’s LGBT+ community.
National Human Rights Commissioner Mohna Ansari said at the event—held at the United Nations house—that education was crucial in avoiding discrimination.
“Educate those who are ignorant and mis-informed, and give proof to those who are prejudiced, that all people, regardless of religion, cast, gender or sexual orientation, once respected and valued, can and will accomplish their full potential,’ she said.
