A long-awaited decision by Nepal's Supreme Court to give full rights and protection to its LGBT citizens has led to tears of joy from their gay community.

"Reading this decision my eyes were filled with tears and I felt we are the most proud LGBTI citizens of Nepal in the world. It is the most beautiful news," said Nepal's only openly gay Member of Parliament Sunil Babu Pant.

The decision confirms that all LGBTI people in Nepal should be defined as a "natural person" and their physical growth as well as sexual orientation, gender identity, expression are all part of natural growing process. Thus equal rights, identity and expression must be ensured regardless of their sex at birth.

Homosexuality – and cross-dressing – had previously been criminal offenses in Nepal.

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