The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) community has drawn the attention of the government regarding legalising same-sex marriage.

Members of Blue Diamond Society met Kamalshali Ghimire, secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister, on Monday and requested the government to legalise

the social rights of the LGBTI people.

According to Manisha Dhakal, executive director of the society, it was no use enshrining LGBTI protections in the constitution if they were to be barred from enjoying the right to marry.

“We have been lobbying for our right to marriage for a long time now. Even the constitution has accepted our existence, but the government’s refusal to amend the laws in line with it has left us frustrated,” said Dhakal.

The apex court decriminalised homosexuality in 2007 and ordered the government agencies to abolish laws that discriminate people based on their sexual orientations.

As a result, in February 2015, an expert committee formed in 2010 to look into the legal challenges faced by LGBTI people submitted its report to the government, recommending that Nepal legalise same-sex marriage and amend related marriage laws such as property rights, divorce and adoption.

The members of the society also reminded Secretary Ghimire about Nepal’s commitment to legalise same-sex marriage in the Universal Periodic Review in November last year.

Members of the UN Human Rights Council had also raised questions about delay in fulfilling Nepal’s commitment to legalise same-sex marriage.