Monika Shahi, a transgender woman officially married Ramesh Nath Yogi on 25th July, 2017 in Dadeldhura, Nepal making it the first registered transgender wedding in the country. Shahi also happens to be the first transgender person to receive a passport under ‘Others’ category. Monika and Ramesh’s recent wedding has definitely given hope to the LGBTIQ community in Nepal. The country still has no laws legalising same-sex marriage.
Nepalese activist Sunil Babu Pant wrote a critical article on Shahi and Yogi’s marriage and the attention that it has generated from different avenues. Pant has highlighted on the importance of using the correct terms when talking about the marriage, emphasising that ‘same-sex marriage’ not be used in this case.
I totally agree with that. Ramesh is a man and Monika is a transgender woman. Lastly, as Pant has written, I hope Nepal is able to recognise same-sex marriage sooner rather than later.
PS. The 14th Gaijatra festival celebrated by Blue Diamond Society takes place on 8th August!
