21 December 2007
Nepal Supreme Court Orders Third Gender Recognition
Legal Trans International
Nepal's Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling ordering the government to create a third gender category on citizenship documents and end discrimination against LGBTQ+ people. The court recognised the rights of people who identify as neither male nor female, making Nepal one of the first countries in the world to officially recognise a third gender. The ruling also called for a committee to study same-sex marriage.
Impact & Significance
Established Nepal as an unexpected pioneer in gender recognition and LGBTQ+ rights in South Asia, influencing similar movements across the region.
Reference Record
- Date
- 21 December 2007
- Era
- 2000-2009
- Sources
- 2
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Questions This Event Helps Answer
Q What is the Gender Recognition Act 2004? The Gender Recognition Act 2004 created a UK legal process for some trans people to obtain recognition of their acquired gender. Q Who were early UK trans pioneers? Early UK trans pioneers include Michael Dillon, Roberta Cowell, April Ashley, Stephen Whittle, Julia Grant and the organisers who built early trans community networks. Q How did gender recognition and self-determination expand internationally? They expanded through court judgments, self-identification laws, third-gender markers and national trans-rights legislation.
