“The Supreme Court has once again affirmed that same-sex couples deserve the same dignity, respect, and legal protections as any other couple.”
By Molly Sprayregen
LGBTQ+ people in Nepal are overjoyed by a June 18th ruling by the Nepalese Supreme Court that same-sex couples deserve the same marriage rights as opposite-sex couples.
“Today is a day of celebration for LGBTQIA+ people and families across Nepal,” Manisha Dhakal, executive director of the Nepalese LGBTQ+ advocacy group Blue Diamond Society, said in a press release obtained by the Los Angeles Blade. “The Supreme Court has once again affirmed that same-sex couples deserve the same dignity, respect, and legal protections as any other couple.”
“The Supreme Court has spoken clearly,” Dhakal added. “The government has expressed its support for equality. We are encouraged by that commitment and urge Parliament to act swiftly so that every LGBTQIA+ couple in Nepal can access marriage with certainty, dignity, and respect. Nepal has already taken a historic step. Now it is time to finish the job.”
The country’s Supreme Court has made three previous rulings in favor of marriage equality, including a landmark 2023 decision mandating that same-sex couples be allowed to temporarily register marriages. But the Blue Diamond Society press release emphasized that “the lack of national legislation has created uncertainty and fear for couples who want to register their marriage.”
“Many couples have been denied marriage licenses by local clerks who claim there is no national law instructing them to register marriages of same-sex couples,” the group said. “Other couples have been forced to file legal cases and endure costly legal battles simply to register their marriage. And even among couples who have registered their marriages, there is concern that their marriages may not be respected when it comes to adoption, inheritance, and other important protections they need to care for their families.”
Folks across the world are celebrating the victory. On social media, Gayety wrote, “This isn’t just progress, it’s a landmark shift in constitutional rights, and a huge win for LGBTQ+ communities across the country.”
