Nepal

First Taiwan, and now Nepal — marriage equality is finally catching on in Asia.

It is the first South Asian country to recognize a same-sex marriage.

The order allows LGBTQ+ couples to legally register their marriages while the government prepares legislation legalizing marriage equality.

The rainbow banner was raised over the United Nations house as a symbol of hope for the nation’s struggling LGBTQ community.

The festival wasn’t just held to celebrate Pride but to demand equality and equal rights under Nepal’s new constitution.

“Our main demand is that the rights of the sexual minorities should be guaranteed in the new constitution,” said Pinky Gurung of the Blue Diamond Society

KATMANDU, Nepal — Hundreds of Nepal’s LGBT citizens are parading through Nepal’s capital to celebrate Gaijatra, a Hindu festival gleefully overtaken each year by the country’s gay community and cheered by onlookers. Thousands of Nepalese lined the cobblestoned streets of Katmandu’s old city Monday to catch a glimpse of those parading, some carrying banners…

KATHMANDU, Nepal — The Nepal government’s Election Commission said Monday that LGBT and inter-sex Nepalis are able to register as “third gender” for the first time in the country’s history, and will be able campaign openly for legislative seats in the upcoming November 19 national elections.

KATMANDU, Nepal — About 1,000 gays, lesbians, transgender people and their supporters, many dressed in colorful clothes and holding banners, marched through Nepal’s capital on Thursday to celebrate and demand rights for their community, in what has become an annual festival.

KATMANDU, Nepal (AP) — An official says Nepal’s government will begin issuing citizenship certificates with the category “third gender” for people who do not wish to be identified as male or female.