Transgender bride finds acceptance after becoming first in Nepal to be formally married
Monika Shahi Nath says she is 'loved as daughter-in-law' by her husband's family
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A bride who became the first transgender woman to be formally married in Nepal has said she has found acceptance among her friends and family.
Monika Shahi Nath wed her 22-year-old husband Ramesh Nath Yogi in May, receiving a marriage certificate from officials despite the Himalyan country having no official laws on transgender unions.
The 40-year-old said she feared she would not be welcomed into her husband's family
But she told the Agence France Presse (AFP) news agency that the couple were "happy and feel accepted as husband and wife".
She added: "I never dreamed that one day I would be someone's wife, that I would be loved as a daughter-in-law.”
Nepal already has some of South Asia’s most progressive policies on homosexuality and gender identity and Ms Shah reportedly became the first Nepali to get a passport with an "other" gender designation on her passport.
Ms Nath grew up as a boy called Manoj in a remote village in the west of the country where she said she always felt different and became “fascinated with women’s clothing”.
In her twenties she started wearing her sister’s clothes before leaving home.
"Away from my home, I would secretly become a woman. It would make me very happy, but I was afraid to tell my family, I felt I would shame them,” she said.
Her family see her as “as a woman now,” she added.
Mr Yogi's family have also reportedly accepted her, although legal experts, however, have said the couple could face accusations of polygamy - which is illegal in Nepal – as Mr Yogi already has a wife and two children.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments