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LGBT Rights in Nepal

    Homosexuality
    ✔ Legal
    Gay Marriage
    N/A
    Censorship
    ✔ No censorship
    Changing Gender
    ✖ Legal, but requires medical diagnosis
    Non-binary gender recognition
    ✔ Recognized
    Discrimination
    ✔ Illegal
    Employment Discrimination
    ✖ Sexual orientation only
    Housing Discrimination
    ✖ Sexual orientation only
    Adoption
    ✖ Single only
    Military
    ✔ Legal
    Donating Blood
    ✔ Legal
    Conversion Therapy
    ✖ Not banned
    Age of Consent
    ✔ Equal

Recent surveys in Nepal have revealed a mixed response towards LGBTQ+ rights and issues.

Nepal Surveys

Self-Reported Discrimination Against Elderly LGBTQ+ People

(Mitini Nepal, 2022)
were denied treatment in a healthcare setting because of their sexual orientation or gender identity
faced LGBTI-related workplace discrimination
were physically harassed or assaulted by co-workers for being LGBTI
experienced discrimination and violence from family and community members, friends, and government representatives
did not feel physically and emotionally safe due to cumulative, lifelong experiences of discrimination
have been evicted by a landlord or realtor because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression
experienced disrespectful treatment and unfriendly verbal interactions from health and social service providers because of their gender identity and gender expression

Coming Out in Nepal

(Mitini Nepal, 2021)
LGBT people are out to their family
LGBT people DID NOT receive negative reactions after coming out
LGBT people have parents who were accepting of their relationship

Experiences of LGBT Students in Kathmandu Valley

Describe their school as "safe"
Describe their school as "tolerant"
Describe their school as "not safe"
Experienced violence
Did not experienced violence
Faced some form of discrimination using restrooms
Did not face discrimination using restrooms

History

Homosexual activity in Nepal

?

Homosexual activity in Nepal is legal.

Current status
Since Dec 21, 2007
Legal
In 2007, Nepal became one of the leading LGBTQ countries with holding Supreme court ruling in 2007, that would allow same-sex marriages and grant transgender people the right to gender affirming care.
Added by iain-w  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Same-sex marriage in Nepal

?

Same-sex marriage in Nepal is n/a.

Current status
Since Jun 29, 2023
N/A
Same-sex marriage has been de jure legal in Nepal, though without supporting legislation, since 28 June 2023 in accordance with a ruling from the Supreme Court.

Nepal Supreme court has refused to register same-sex couples as of recently, Patan High court as well will not register them.

Oct 23, 2017–Jun 28, 2023
Foreign same-sex marriages recognized only
The Supreme Court of Nepal issued its judgement, ruling that under Rule 8(1)(h) of the Immigration Rules a foreign national who submits a valid marriage license with a Nepali citizen is eligible to obtain an "NT Visa" as a dependant. The Supreme Court further ruled that the Immigration Rules do not specify that a foreign national applying for an NT Visa must either be of the same or opposite gender. Foreign same-sex spouses of Nepali citizens are now eligible to obtain an NT Visa as a dependant.
Added by Markissik  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Until Oct 23, 2017
Ambiguous
Some ceremonies performed but no official recognition
Added by iain-w  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Censorship of LGBT Issues in Nepal

?

Censorship of LGBT Issues in Nepal is no censorship.

Current status
No censorship
In Nepal, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics.
Added by equaldex  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Right to change legal gender in Nepal

?

Right to change legal gender in Nepal is legal, but requires medical diagnosis.

Current status
Since 2007
Legal, but requires medical diagnosis
Only to a third gender marker "O"; no changes between male "M" and female "F" permitted. According to ILGA Data, anecdotal evidence suggests that at least one transgender woman has been able to obtain a female gender marker, and one transgender man has obtained a male gender marker. In both situations, evidence of gender affirming medical interventions was required.
Added by iain-w  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Nepal

?

Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Nepal is recognized.

Current status
Since 2013
Recognized
A third gender category for citizenship documents was introduced in 2013 and Nepal began issuing passports with the ‘others’ category two years later.
Added by DuffdeNecker  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

LGBT discrimination in Nepal

?

LGBT discrimination in Nepal is illegal.

Current status
Since 2015
Illegal
Section 18(3) of the Constitution of Nepal (2015) explains that the State shall not discriminate against, inter alia, “sexual minorities”.
Added by iain-w  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Jan 1, 2016–Sep 21, 2016
Illegal
Added by Ausyk  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

LGBT employment discrimination in Nepal

?

LGBT employment discrimination in Nepal is sexual orientation only.

Current status
Since 2015
Sexual orientation only
Section 18(3) of the Constitution of Nepal (2015) explains that the State shall not discriminate against, inter alia, “sexual minorities”.
Added by Ausyk  ·  1 accurate vote  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

LGBT housing discrimination in Nepal

?

LGBT housing discrimination in Nepal is sexual orientation only.

Current status
Since 2015
Sexual orientation only
Section 18(3) of the Constitution of Nepal (2015) explains that the State shall not discriminate against, inter alia, “sexual minorities”.
Added by Ausyk  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Same-sex adoption in Nepal

?

Same-sex adoption in Nepal is single only.

Current status
Since Oct 10, 2017
Single only
No restrictions. No laws in place for same sex couples.
Added by Ausyk  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Serving openly in military in Nepal

?

Serving openly in military in Nepal is legal.

Current status
Since Jan 1, 2007
Legal
Added by Ausyk  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Blood donations by MSMs in Nepal

?

Blood donations by MSMs in Nepal is legal.

Current status
Legal
No specific ban or deferral period for LGBT people.
Added by Ausyk  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Conversion therapy in Nepal

?

Conversion therapy in Nepal is not banned.

Current status
Since Aug 15, 2015
Not banned
Added by Ausyk  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Equal age of consent in Nepal

?

Equal age of consent in Nepal is equal.

Current status
Equal
Nepal statutory rape law is violated when an individual has consensual sexual contact with a person under age 16. This law is applicable to both heterosexual couples, and homosexual men. There is no age of consent for homosexual women.
Added by ads91  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log


LGBT Rights by zone

View the LGBT laws in each individual zone of Nepal.