In historic first, Nepali gay man and American partner tie nuptial knot

Kathmandu, October 8 — A marriage registration has taken place between a Nepali gay man and an American, marking what is likely the first such event in Nepal.

The Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City office in Sunsari has issued a same-sex marriage certificate to Prajit Budhathoki from Nepal and Joseph Foster Ellis from New York, United States.

Both individuals are referred to as husbands on the marriage certificate. Sunil Babu Panta, Asia's first openly gay parliamentarian, congratulated Joseph and Prajit on their union.

Pant, who is also the executive director of "Maya Ko Pahichaan Nepal," informed that efforts are ongoing to register marriages for same-sex and transgender couples at local government levels.

In a Facebook post, Panta shared photos and mentioned that Joseph and Prajit are preparing for their wedding celebration.

On April 25, 2024 (12 Baishakh 2081), the Department of National Identity and Civil Registration issued a circular to all 753 local governments in Nepal to facilitate marriage registrations for sexual and gender minorities. Following this circular, local bodies have begun issuing marriage certificates to same-sex couples.

Maya Gurung and Surendra Pandey were the first same-sex transgender couple to successfully register their marriage in South Asia. They registered their marriage at the Dordi Rural Municipality office in Lamjung on November 29, 2023 (13 Mangsir 2080).