Historic Milestone: Legal recognition for first lesbian couple marriage

BANKE: In a groundbreaking development, the same-sex marriage between 33-year-old Anju Devi Shrestha of Bardiya and Suprita Gurung, also 33, of Tanahu, has been officially recognized.

Both Shrestha, a resident of Badhaiyatal-2, Bardiya, and Gurung from Bandipur-5, Tanahu, are women.

Their union received legal recognition through the registration of their marriage by the Badhaiyatal Rural Municipality, Ward No. 2 Office.

Shrestha and Gurung formalized their relationship into marriage approximately five years ago.

Deepak Nepali, the ward secretary and civil registration officer of Badhaiyatal-2, confirmed that Anju and Suprita submitted an application to the Ward Office on January 18, 2024, for the registration of their marriage.

The office issued the marriage registration certificate on Sunday, in collaboration with the technical section of the Department of National ID and Civil Registration.

The certificate stipulates that the marriage is temporarily registered until the formulation of related laws, as mentioned by Arjun Subedi, the chief administrative officer of the Rural Municipality.

While Anju currently resides in Kohalpur-5, Banke district, Suprita resides in Britain.

"We got to know each other through Facebook while studying in Grade 12. As our relationship deepened, we decided to marry," expressed Anju during a press conference organized in Nepalgunj on Monday.

"We followed religious customs to solemnize our marriage after falling in love and living together," she added, disclosing that they tied the knot at the Chhanchhangdi Temple in Waling, Syangja, five years ago.

Despite facing societal judgment from their families and relatives initially, they now receive support.

The registration of Anju and Suprita's marriage has been hailed by Paschim Tara Nepal in Nepalgunj and Mayako Pahichan Nepal in Kathmandu, two social organizations advocating for the rights and identity of sexual and gender minority communities, as a significant advancement for their cause.