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Nepal Court Rules for Gay Rights

Landmark decision to scrap laws discriminating against gay, lesbian, transgender Nepalese

By Jane Yager, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 22, 2007 10:23 AM CST

(Newser) – Conservative Nepal must stop its discrimination against homosexuals and make laws to protect their rights, the nation's highest court ruled yesterday. The decision is a major victory for gay rights advocates in the Himalayan country, where gay men and women have long complained of discrimination and attacks, BBC reports. "We all feel we are liberated today," said one activist.

The ruling called for protection of the rights of "lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, and intersex" people, a radical change to current Nepalese law, under which an "unnatural sex act" carries a prison term of up to year. Transgender people and gay men have suffered arrests and police beatings under the current law, the BBC notes.

A gay male bride and groom pose before their wedding in Kathmandu, August 26, 2006. Bride, groom, and wedding dancers were all gay men attending Nepal's first gay wedding. (Getty Images)

A gay male bride and groom take a drink of traditional Nepalese alcohol before their wedding in Kathmandu, August 26, 2006. Bride, groom, and wedding dancers were all gay men attending Nepal's first gay... (Getty Images)

Transvestite guests as Nepal's first gay wedding, August 26, 2006. (Getty Images)

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Nepal Court Rules for Gay Rights

Landmark decision to scrap laws discriminating against gay, lesbian, transgender Nepalese

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Landmark decision to scrap laws discriminating against gay, lesbian, transgender Nepalese

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gay rights • human rights • homosexuality • transgender • Nepal • court cases

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Label Doesn't Fit to a T

Salon pundit ponders paradox of gay-rights bill threatened by inclusion of trans

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Activists not happy with actress' choice of words

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It's not in US interests, or worth the money

US Will Use Foreign Aid to Push Gay Rights

Marks government's first push for LGBT rights abroad: White House

'Not Gay Enough' Ballplayers Win Settlement

Team with bisexual players stripped of trophy by gay sports group

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