- Homosexuality
- ⚢✔ Legal
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭Ambiguous
- Censorship
- ✔ No censorship
- Changing Gender
- Ambiguous
- Gender-Affirming Care
- ✖ Restricted
- Non-Binary Gender Recognition
- ✔ Recognized
- Discrimination
- ✔ Illegal
- Employment Discrimination
- ✖ Sexual orientation only
- Housing Discrimination
- ✖ Sexual orientation only
- Adoption
- ✖ Single only
- Intersex Infant Surgery
- ✖ Not banned
- Military
- ✔ Legal
- Donating Blood
- ✔ Legal
- Conversion Therapy
- ✖ Not banned
- Age of Consent
- ✔ Equal
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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 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.
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.
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 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.
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”.
Until Sep 19, 2015
No protections
No constitutional protections against discrimination 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.
Intersex infant surgery in Nepal is not banned.
Current status
Not banned
Intersex persons are not protected from violations to physical integrity and bodily autonomy. A 2016 book of personal stories by intersex people from Nepal identifies a range of bodily autonomy and health issues, including "Intersex genital mutilation as a growing practice and lack of information and access to reproductive health information or care" and "Lack of access to necessary health care for those experiencing health difficulties as a result of their intersex variation".
Serving openly in military in Nepal is legal.
Current status
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
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)