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LGBT Rights in Nepal

    Homosexuality
    ✔ Legal
    Gay Marriage
    Ambiguous
    Censorship
    ✔ No censorship
    Changing Gender
    Ambiguous
    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 ambiguous.

Current status
Since Nov 29, 2023
Ambiguous
Ambiguous status. On 28 June 2023, a single judge bench of Justice Til Prasad Shrestha issued a historic order directing the government to establish a separate register for non-traditional couples and sexual minorities and to temporarily register them. The full bench of the Supreme Court has yet to deliver a final verdict. Some observers noted that Justice Til Prasad Shrestha exceeded his authority. It is estimated that around 200 third gender activists who rushed back to their villages may register their marriages soon.

On 29 November 2023, the first same-sex couple in Nepal was able to register their marriage in the Dordi municipality, five months after the interim order was given. However, there are reports that other homosexual wedding applications have not been consistently registered.

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 ambiguous.

Current status
Since 2007
Ambiguous
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 Sep 20, 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  ·  1 accurate vote  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Until Sep 19, 2015
No protections
No constitutional protections against discrimination in Nepal.
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.