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Nepal was once a global model for trans legal recognition. Now the Home Affairs Ministry has paused processing applications entirely, leaving trans citizens stuck with documents that don't match who they are.
From Nepal's landmark marriage ruling to Japan's pending Supreme Court cases, LGBTQ+ progress across Asia is increasingly being written by judges — while legislatures stall.
Two years after a provisional order opened the door, Nepal's Supreme Court has issued a binding directive requiring the government to fully recognize same-sex marriage. It is now a constitutional requirement, not a favor — and Nepal stands as the 40th country in the world to get there.
Nepal was the first country in South Asia to recognize same-sex marriage. Two years on, only a few dozen couples have registered, and the legal benefits of marriage remain out of reach. The Supreme Court heard arguments this spring on whether to finally close the gap.
