In a first, Nepali-US national tie knot in same-sex marriage

In a first, an individual of Nepali origin and a US citizen tied the knot in Kathmandu . This marriage reportedly was Nepal’s first legally registered same-sex marriage between citizens of different countries.

Nepali citizen Prajit Budhathoki , 27, and US national Joey Foster Ellis ,30, got married in Kathmandu on Thursday.

Their union was registered on October 6 in Dharan , marking the seventh same-sex marriage in the country. Joseph expressed his excitement, saying that they had been living together for over two years and were overjoyed at finally receiving legal recognition for their relationship.

The couple’s wedding was a blend of Hindu and Christian rituals, officiated by Brahmin and Christian priests.

The marriage followed Nepal’s recent Supreme Court ruling that recognised same-sex unions, allowing temporary registration of marriages for "sexual minorities and non-traditional couples." After legally registering their union in the Dharan sub-metropolitan city, Prajit and Joey held a religious ceremony that combined traditions from both their cultures.

The wedding ceremony began with Hindu rituals led by priests from the revered Pashupati temple. Priest Shiva Raj Regmi expressed joy in officiating the ceremony and was quoted by the Himalayan Times saying, "Love is accepted by our scriptures regardless of who it comes from."

Following this, Christian priest Mark Lodico solemnised their marital vows with an exchange of rings. An emotional Joey proclaimed his love and excitement for their shared future, saying, "I accept you just as you are", quotes the Himalayan Times.

The couple faced several bureaucratic challenges during the registration process, with the local administration being unfamiliar with the procedures for same-sex marriages.

Former MP and LGBTQ+ activist Sunil Babu Pant played a key role in supporting the couple and officiated as their symbolic father. He also helped the couple in facilitating their marriage registration and was pivotal in making the religious ceremony happen.

Advocate Sacistha Shrestha, who played a role in registering Prajit and Joseph's marriage, stressed that while Nepal has taken a progressive stance, further legal clarity is needed. "There are still ambiguities, especially for binational couples, and the procedural framework must be refined to ensure equal rights and recognition for all couples," she said.

The event not only garnered widespread attention but also had the backing of the US Embassy in Kathmandu, which congratulated the newlyweds, stating that this union represents Nepal's growing acceptance of LGBTQ+ rights.