This May 28th, Nepal will promulgate its new constitution, which is expected to end the monarchy, establish a democratic republic…and define marriage as between two adults.  How is this possible, you ask?  In 2008, Nepal’s Supreme Court ordered constitutional protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity.  As luck would have it, the country was already gearing up to revise their constitution.

The openly-gay Indian prince, Manvendra Singh Gohil, and his fiance Pajwal Miskin plan to wed in Nepal to help kick off what is hoped to be a new tourism industry in the war-ravaged country.  Nepalese parliamentarian Sunil Babu Pant:

Most Asian countries don’t welcome gay visitors, so we can have the maximum benefit for the Nepal economy which is fragile after years of war.

The government is hoping to increase the number of tourists from 400,000 to one million next year and has taken a positive attitude to welcoming gay and lesbian visitors to help meet their ambitious target.

Wedding on Mt. Everest, anyone?

“For gay couples who want a memorable wedding, we are offering to hold it at the Everest base camp,” Pant told IANS. “Or it can be in Mustang (Nepal’s northernmost district that was once part of an ancient Tibetan kingdom).

“We are offering lavish bridal processions on elephant back and a glittering package for the bride that includes exotic bridal gowns as well as makeup.”