The first study of homosexuality, “The World of Homosexuals” by Shakuntala Devi, is published in India, calling for “full and complete acceptance and not tolerance and sympathy”.

The first All-India Hijra Conference is held in Agra, with over 50,000 community members from across India

Denmark becomes the first country to legalize same-sex unions

End of Panchayat (party-less) political system in Nepal; space for civil society opens up

The World Health Organisation declares that homosexuality is not an illness.

First HIV/AIDS foreign donor funding arrives in Nepal and the Government establishes the National AIDS Coordination Committee

“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”, a military policy directive, is signed by the U.S. President, prohibiting gay and lesbian Americans from serving in the military, but also protecting “closeted” homosexuals from harassment

In India, Hijras are legally granted voting rights as a third sex. The first petition challenging section 377 is filed by the AIDS Bhedbhav Virodhi Andolan

Hawaii becomes the first U.S. state to recognize that gay and lesbian couples are entitled to the same privileges as heterosexual married couples.

“Will & Grace”, a prime-time American series featuring openly gay characters, premiers, runs for eight seasons and receives 16 Emmy Awards.

Matthew Shepard’s murder in Laramie, Wyoming receives global attention. The incident highlights hate crimes against LGBTIQ+ people and inspires educational programs.

Informal organizing among sexual and gender minorities begins in parks in Kathmandu

10 members of the Nepali royal family are massacred inside the royal palace grounds, sending the country into political chaos

Blue Diamond Society (BDS), Nepal’s first NGO dedicated to sexual health and rights, is registered with the Social Welfare Council

Netherlands becomes the first country to legalise same-sex marriage, since followed by more than 30 other countries.

The first legal same-sex marriage in the United States takes place in Massachusetts.

Mitini Nepal is founded, with an explicit goal of focusing on queer women.

Sunil Pant is invited as one of 29 people to attend the final consultation meeting for the Yogyakarta Principles

Maoists and government sign a Comprehensive Peace Accord in Nepal, ending a 10-year conflict

The second people’s movement is catalyzed; citizens fill the streets demanding inclusion and the end of the monarchy; LGBTIQ+ activists join the protests and build alliances

Nepali LGBTIQ+ activists bring in South African Justice Edwin Cameron and UN officials to talk about diversity and representation in politics

Four LGBTIQ+ NGOs petition the Supreme Court to end discriminatory laws on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity

Nepal’s first LGBT umbrella network, the Federation of Sexual and Gender Minorities Nepal (FSGMN) is established and registered under the Social Welfare Council

Sunil Pant and Others v. Nepal Government

The Supreme Court issues a landmark decision to: 1. end laws discriminating against LGBTI individuals; 2. legally recognize a third gender; 3. establish a committee to study same-sex marriage.

Sunil Pant becomes the first openly-gay federal-level elected official in all of Asia.

The Maoist Minister of Finance includes sexual and gender minorities in the national budget, the first acknowledgment of the population after the 2007 Supreme Court decision

Sexual and Gender Minority Student Forum is established in Nepal; assembly with 1,500 students is held to kick it off

Delhi High Court rules that the colonial-era Section 377 is unconstitutional. This means that gay sex is not a crime in India, although it is still illegal.

Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir, the first out LGB person elected as a head of government, becomes Iceland’s Prime Minister. This makes her one of only two out lesbian heads of state in history, and one of only five out gay heads of state.

Blue Diamond Society (BDS) organizes the first Gai Jatra Gay March in August.

Nepal’s national population and housing census is launched, including categories for male, female, and third gender on its basic data form

“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is repealed, ending a ban on gay men and lesbians from serving openly in the U.S. military.

Nepal’s Constituent Assembly and Parliament dissolves, having not produced a constitution

The government of Nepal officially tells all district offices to begin issuing citizenship documents listing male, female, or other genders

South Asia’s first LGBTIQ Sports Festival is organized by the Blue Diamond Society in Nepal.

Rajani Shahi v. National Women's Commission

The Supreme Court recognizes the relationship of a lesbian couple. The court allows Rajani Shahi to live with her partner Prem Kumari Nepali as she wished, rather than with her husband.

President Barack Obama becomes the first U.S. president to use the word ‘gay’ in an inaugural address in reference to sexual orientation, making two references to gay rights as he begins his second term.

Nepal hosts a UN Asia-Pacific Seminar on Human Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, organized by the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare

The U.S. Supreme Court strikes down the Clinton-era Defense of Marriage Act, the ban on federal benefits for same-sex married couples, on a 5-4 vote

Natasha Shah, a queer metal singer, releases their first music album, “Nattu”

62 LGBTI people declare their candidacy in the upcoming parliamentary election in Nepal. No one wins a seat.

The Laramie Project is produced by One World Theater in Kathmandu.

The LGBTIQ+-themed drama based on Matthew Shepard’s murder includes a public sensitization campaign and an educational program

TCurriculum Department of Nepal’s Ministry of Education incorporates LGBT issues in the secondary (Grades 6, 7 and 8) and university-level education curriculum

Nepal’s Supreme Court, building on its 2007 judgment, orders the government to issue passports in three genders.

The same-sex marriage committee mandated by the 2007 Supreme Court judgment in Nepal releases its extensive report recommending policies for the government.

Bhumika Shrestha becomes the first Nepali person with the ‘other’ gender category on an official document to travel abroad.

Transgender model Meghna Lama establishes Nepal’s first queer bar, Pink Tiffany, in Basantapur, which later moves to Thamel.

Campaign for Change, the first and only organization led by intersex people, is registered in Nepal

Suman Panta v. Ministry of Home Affairs et. al:

The Supreme Court rules that under Rule 8(1)(h) of the Immigration Rules a foreign national who submits a valid marriage license with a Nepali citizen is eligible to obtain a "Non-Tourist Visa" as a dependent.

Suman Panta v. Ministry of Home Affairs et. al:

The Pentagon confirms that the first transgender person has signed a contract to join the US military.

The Supreme Court of India strikes down the part of section 377 which criminalized consensual homosexual activities.

Queer Youth Group, a collective based in Nepal, publicizes the Nepali term ‘pāralaingik’ to refer to individuals identifying as a transgender. Every year, Trans Pride Parade is celebrated on the following Saturday

Manil Singh represents Nepal in Mr Gay World pageant held in South Africa

The World Health Organisation announces that being transgender would no longer be classed as a “disorder”

Anjali Lama, a Nepali transgender model, is awarded the Vogue Beauty Award by Vogue India.

Nepal Pride Parade is organized by Queer Youth Group in collaboration with other collectives

Niranjan Kunwar publishes “Between Queens and the Cities”, becoming the first Nepali queer writer to publish a memoir

India’s Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment passes the revised Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules, but the bill remains controversial because of its requirement of a medical certification proving sex-reassignment surgery.

The first US passport with an X gender marker for non-binary, intersex and gender non- confirming persons issued. Medical certification is not required.

Adheep Pokharel & Tobias Volz v. Ministry of Home Affairs & Department of Immigration:

The Supreme Court of Nepal orders the government to recognize a same-sex marriage performed in Germany and directs the Federal Parliament to legalize same-sex marriage in Nepal.