But the 40-year-old has made history, becoming Nepal’s first transgender person to be issued with a marriage certificate by district officials, even though the country has no formal laws for such unions. Nath, who married 22-year-old Ramesh Nath Yogi in May, initially feared that her in-laws would not welcome her — a transgender woman — into their family but the couple have found rare acceptance in Nepal. Many transgender people in the country still struggle to be open about their identity despite progressive laws that include a third gender option on identity cards and passports. Yogi’s family — who live in a village a six hour drive away — was also initially resistant to the marriage, but the community has now accepted the couple. A bill to legalise same-sex marriage was proposed two years ago, but has not progressed, and it is not clear what legal standing Nath’s marriage has.

Source: Dhaka Tribune October 09, 2017 06:00 UTC