Wedding in Nepal

[Posted by Paul Causey on AP-Rainbow mailing list, 2010-08-19]

First Indian Gay Wedding In Nepal

Kathmandu – Love knows no boundaries. Legal restrictions and threats from family members made an Indian gay couple cross over to Nepal to get married. The ceremony held near a Hindu temple in the heart of Kathmandu on Tuesday is the first Indian gay wedding in Nepal where same sex marriages will get legal sanction soon.

A 30 year old Muslim from Ahmedabad exchanged rings with his 42 year old longtime Hindu partner, a UK citizen of Indian origin. The couple was blessed by a Hindu priest.

A function was attended by gays, lesbians, transgendered and transvestites from Kathmandu who contributed to organize a small feast and party for the newlyweds.

“We chose Nepal as there is no legal sanction for same sex marriages in India. I am very excited and happy,” said the 30 year old sales executive who met his partner during a visit to the UK in 2003.

The wedding was organized by the Blue Diamond Society, an organization working for the rights of sexual minorities and Pink Mountain, the country’s first travel agency promoting gay and lesbian tourism.

“The couple arrived in Kathmandu four days back and sought our help in getting married. We took a minimal fee of US$200 to arrange the wedding,” said BDS founder Sunil Babu Pant, Nepal’s first gay lawmaker.

A marriage certificate (not legal) would be given to the couple by BDS and the amount used for welfare of persons belonging to sexual minorities.

The couple plans a short honeymoon in India before settling in the UK.

“I was worried for the safety of my partner and thought Nepal is a safe destination. We now look forward to a happy future,” said Sha.

In December 2007, Nepal’s Supreme Court granted equal status to sexual minorities. Nepal’s Constituent Assembly is in the process of granting equal rights to them including legalizing same sex marriages.

Pant says he receives lot of wedding queries from gays and lesbians in India. Prince of Rajpipla, Manvendra Singh Gohil, who’s popular as India’s Gay Prince is also planning his wedding here.

Nepal is hoping to become Asia’s biggest hub for gay and lesbian tourism and improve the country’s economy by tapping into the multi-billion dollar market.

The country will host its first Gay Pride Parade on August 25 in Kathmandu where thousands of gays, lesbians, transgendered and transvestites from Nepal, India and other countries are expected to take part.