Nepal s first same-sex marriage hailed as win for LGBT rights

Nepal has ed its first same-sex marriage, which activists hailed as a victory for LGBT rights.

Authorities in the western Lumjung district formally ed the union of Maya Gurung, 35, and Surendra Pandey, 27, on Wednesday.

It came five months after the Supreme Court issued an interim order allowing same-sex couples to their marriages.

Taiwan is the only other place in Asia that has legalised same-sex marriage.

Ms Gurung told the BBC that their registration was a "big day" not just for the couple, but all sexual minorities.

"The fight for rights is not easy. We have done it. And it will be easier for future generations," she said. "The registration has opened doors to a lot of things for us."

The couple had said that they wanted to open a t bank and share ownership of the land they bought. But their biggest dream is to adopt a child, once their finances are more stable.

They have been together for almost a decade. The couple wed in a temple ceremony in 2017 and had sought legal recognition of their union this year.

Ms Gurung is a transgender woman who has not changed her gender on official documents. Mr Pandey was born and identifies as male.

On 13 July, a district court in Nepal's capital Kathmandu, refused to their marriage despite the Supreme Court's order that directed the government to such unions until it prepared legislation to change the law.

The district court had argued that lower courts were not bound to follow the order as it was only directed at the government.

But on Wednesday, Hem Raj Kafle, chief istrative officer of the Dordi rural municipality, told Reuters: "We have issued the marriage registration certificate to the couple in consideration of the Supreme Court order and instructions from relevant government authorities."

Leading LGBT rights activist Sunil Babu Pant called the "historic" moment a victory for sexual and gender minorities.

"Now we can our marriage as do the regular couples. But we still have to do more to get other rights," he told the BBC.

Additional reporting by BBC Nepali