India Becomes LGBT Destination Wedding Hub, Gay Couple Marries After Same-Sex Marriage Legalized in Ally Country

Joseph and Prajeet, a same-sex couple, recently tied the knot in a landmark wedding organized by the NGO "Maya Ko Pahichan," which advocates for the rights of the LGBT community. The NGO is led by Sunil Babu Pant, the first openly gay member of Nepal’s Parliament. The wedding took place in the presence of 50 people, including family members, LGBT community members, and media personnel. The ceremony beautifully blended Christian and Hindu traditions, with the couple exchanging rings in front of a Christian priest, followed by a traditional Hindu wedding with Vedic chants.

Sunil Babu Pant called this wedding a historic moment for Nepal, as it marked the union of a Nepalese man and a foreigner. Pant emphasized that Nepal has the potential to become a hub for destination weddings for same-sex couples, which could also boost tourism in the country. On Monday, Joseph and Prajeet registered their marriage in Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City, Sunsari district, in eastern Nepal, and received their marriage certificate, marking a significant milestone for the LGBT community.

While same-sex marriages are legal in Nepal, India has yet to grant legal recognition to such unions. In India, several petitions were filed in the Supreme Court, seeking legal validation for same-sex marriages. However, the court declined to approve them, stating that the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the legislature. A five-judge bench, led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, ruled 3-2 against the petitions. Although Chief Justice Chandrachud granted the right for same-sex couples to adopt children, there was no unanimous agreement among the judges on this issue.

This landmark marriage in Nepal shines a light on the growing acceptance of same-sex relationships in South Asia, despite the ongoing legal challenges in neighboring countries like India.