Nepal: Asia's Most Gay-Friendly Country?

Is This Asia's Most Gay-Friendly Country?
Participants hold Nepalese and rainbow flags during the opening ceremony of the first South Asia Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Sports Festival in Kathmandu on October 12, 2012. Hundreds of athletes Friday took part in Asia's first-ever sports tournament for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders in the Nepalese capital Kathmandu, organisers said. AFP PHOTO/Prakash MATHEMA (Photo credit should read PRAKASH MATHEMA/AFP/GettyImages)
Participants hold Nepalese and rainbow flags during the opening ceremony of the first South Asia Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Sports Festival in Kathmandu on October 12, 2012. Hundreds of athletes Friday took part in Asia's first-ever sports tournament for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders in the Nepalese capital Kathmandu, organisers said. AFP PHOTO/Prakash MATHEMA (Photo credit should read PRAKASH MATHEMA/AFP/GettyImages)

When Nepal’s Supreme Court in June directed the government to introduce a third category on passports for people who identify themselves neither as male nor female, it handed yet another unopposed victory to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights movement.

The country best known for Mount Everest and Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, is fast gaining a reputation as the most gay-friendly nation in Asia as it continues its transition from a Hindu monarchy to a democracy.

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