Nepal

Nepal decriminalized same-sex relations in 2007 with the Supreme Court's Sunil Babu Pant v. Nepal Government ruling. The 2007 Supreme Court interim order recognised third gender; on June 28, 2023, the Court further directed the government to temporarily register same-sex marriages, with the first one registered in November 2023 (first in South Asia). However, temporary registration does not grant the same legal rights as opposite-sex couples. Third gender («O») recognized on documents since 2015, though binary M↔F change not permitted. No explicit anti-discrimination law though with indirect constitutional protection. Kathmandu with Pink Mountain Travels (pioneer LGBT operator), Pride since 2010 and small but regionally pioneering LGBTQI+ scene; Gallup 2024: 87% consider Nepal a good place for gay people.

Population 31,1M Capital Katmandú Language Nepali Currency Nepalese Rupee (NPR)

LGBTQI+ legal framework · Nepal

✓

LGBT identity

Decriminalized 2007

Supreme Court ruling Sunil Babu Pant and Others v. Nepal Government 2007 established that same-sex relations are not «unnatural» · equal age of consent

Partnership recognition

Temporary registration since 2023

Historic interim order June 28, 2023 directs government to temporarily register marriages · first marriage registered November 2023 (first in South Asia) · temporary registration does not grant same legal rights as opposite-sex couples · no permanent law: the case was referred to the Supreme Court's full constitutional bench (16 Jun 2025), oral arguments heard 14 May 2026 and a final ruling still pending

Legal protection

Indirect constitutional protection

Limited protections · indirect constitutional protections since 2015 · no explicit SO/GI anti-discrimination law

Trans rights

Third gender · no M↔F change

Third gender 'O' (Other) recognized by Supreme Court in 2007 · citizenship documents since 2013 · census 2011 · passports since 2015 (first Monica Shahi) · documents cannot be updated between M and F markers · gender-affirming surgeries available since June 2025 · regression: the Ministry of Home Affairs has de facto halted the legal gender recognition process since early 2025 amid an 'anti-gender' climate (HRW, April 2026)

Conversion therapies

Practiced · no ban

Conversion-therapy practices documented but unregulated · no specific legal ban

Social context · Nepal

Social acceptance

Mixed

Mixed · 87% consider good place (Gallup 2024)

Polls: limited share view Nepal as welcoming for gay residents (Gallup 2024 puts it as high as 87%) · LGBT people still face societal discrimination and conformity pressure · dominant Hinduism and Buddhism with traditionally tolerant elements

Source →

Anti-LGBT violence

Documented

Documented · growing hate speech

Growing hate speech since April 2026 against LGBTQ+ community after Prime Minister criticized over homophobic content · family and social violence persists despite protective framework

Source →

Indicative data as of 2026-06-02. Check the destination country's official sources before travelling.

Experiences
gay friendly · Nepal

Top-booked tours and activities, with instant booking via Viator.

Affiliate links to selected experiences

Recent
LGBT news · Nepal

Latest changes — new laws, rulings, events relevant to LGBTQI+ travelers.

Surge in anti-LGBTQI+ hate speech

The new Prime Minister faced LGBTQI+ criticism over homophobic content, increasing hate speech directed at the community.

Nepal's first transgender lawmaker

Bhumika Shrestha, a veteran LGBTQI+ activist, became Nepal's first transgender woman lawmaker, nominated through proportional representation by the Rastriya Swatantra Party.

JUN 16, 2025 · LEGAL

Marriage equality case to constitutional bench

The marriage equality case was referred to the Supreme Court's full constitutional bench; oral arguments were heard on May 14, 2026 and a final ruling remains pending, with Parliament yet to pass a permanent law.

JUN 01, 2025 · SALUD

Gender-affirming surgeries available

Gender-affirming surgeries became available in Nepal from June 2025.