Scores attend gay marriage in Nepal

Kathmandu: Cheered by scores of wedding guests, two gay men exchanged garlands of marigold on Saturday in the first public same-sex marriage in tradition-bound Nepali society.

The guests, mostly activists from gay and lesbian rights groups and a few relatives applauded as Anil Mahaju, 25, and Diya Kashyap, 21, exchanged vows in Katmandu, Nepal's capital.

The marriage, however, will not receive official approval, as Nepalese laws do not recognize same-sex unions, said Suni Pant, who heads the Blue Diamond Society, a nongovernment organisation.

"They have decided to get the marriage registered but I think they will have to wait for a new constitution that would legitimize same sex marriages,'' Pant said.

Rights groups are hoping a new constitution, currently being prepared by experts, would provide Nepal's gay and lesbian community with their civic rights.