KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Hundreds of members of Nepal's LGBTQ+ community and their supporters took to the streets of Kathmandu on Saturday to celebrate Pride Month.
Nepal has a growing LTGTQ+ community and has made significant gains for the rights of sexual minorities in the past few years.
Click to Gallery
A participant has face painted as members of the LGBTQ+ community and supporters take out a Pride Month rally in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Saturday, June 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
Members and supporters of the LGBTQ+ community participate in a Pride Month rally in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Saturday, June 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
Members and supporters of the LGBTQ+ community participate in a Pride Month rally in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Saturday, June 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
Members and supporters of the LGBTQ+ community participate in a Pride Month rally in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Saturday, June 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
Participants take selfie as members of the LGBTQ+ community and supporters take out a Pride Month rally in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Saturday, June 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A participant has face painted as members of the LGBTQ+ community and supporters take out a Pride Month rally in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Saturday, June 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
The government elected in March under Prime Minister Balendra Shah has formed the Ministry of Women, Children, Gender and Sexual Minorities and Social Security, the first time a department has been dedicated to deal with the issues of women and sexual minorities.
Nepal became one of the first in Asia to allow same-sex marriage. The 2015 constitution explicitly states there can be no discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
A 2007 court decision required the government to make changes in favor of LGBTQ+ people. People who do not identify as female or male are now able to choose “third gender” on their passports and other government documents.
A participant has face painted as members of the LGBTQ+ community and supporters take out a Pride Month rally in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Saturday, June 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
Members and supporters of the LGBTQ+ community participate in a Pride Month rally in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Saturday, June 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
Members and supporters of the LGBTQ+ community participate in a Pride Month rally in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Saturday, June 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
Members and supporters of the LGBTQ+ community participate in a Pride Month rally in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Saturday, June 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
Participants take selfie as members of the LGBTQ+ community and supporters take out a Pride Month rally in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Saturday, June 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A participant has face painted as members of the LGBTQ+ community and supporters take out a Pride Month rally in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Saturday, June 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
