- 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
Public Opinion
Recent surveys in Nepal have revealed a mixed response towards LGBTQ+ rights and issues.
OPPOSE
SUPPORT
Nepal Surveys
Self-Reported Discrimination Against Elderly LGBTQ+ People
(Mitini Nepal, 2022)
Coming Out in Nepal
(Mitini Nepal, 2021)
Experiences of LGBT Students in Kathmandu Valley
(Blue Diamond Society, 2019)
History
Same-sex marriage in Nepal is n/a.
Current status
Since Jun 29, 2023
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.
Nepal Supreme court has refused to register same-sex couples as of recently, Patan High court as well will not register them.
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.
Until Oct 23, 2017
Ambiguous
Some ceremonies performed but no official recognition
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.
Right to change legal gender in Nepal is legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
Current status
Since 2007
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.
Same-sex adoption in Nepal is single only.
Current status
Since Oct 10, 2017
Since Oct 10, 2017
Single only
No restrictions. No laws in place for same sex couples.
Serving openly in military in Nepal is legal.
Current status
Since Jan 1, 2007
Since Jan 1, 2007
Legal
Blood donations by MSMs in Nepal is legal.
Current status
Legal
No specific ban or deferral period for LGBT people.
Conversion therapy in Nepal is not banned.
Current status
Since Aug 15, 2015
Since Aug 15, 2015
Not banned
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.
LGBT Rights by zone
View the LGBT laws in each individual zone of Nepal.
- Madhya Pashchimanchal (development regions)
- Madhyamanchal (development regions)
- Pashchimanchal (development regions)
- Purwanchal (development regions)
- Sudur Pashchimanchal (development regions)