Nepal to Offer Everest Weddings

Nepal's new constitution will legalize marriage equality starting in May, and now, according to a report in London's Daily Telegraph newspaper, at least one tourist-oriented company is preparing to offer same-sex wedding packages that include ceremonies on Mount Everest.

Sunil Babu Pant, who is the only openly gay member of Nepal's parliament, has started a company called Pink Mountain in an effort to tap into the gay tourist market as a means to boost the country's war-ravaged economy.

Pink Mountain's wedding package will offer elephant-back processions, Everest base camp ceremonies, and weddings in remote Tibetan enclaves.

"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," Pant said. "The government is hoping to increase the number of tourists from 400,000 to 1 million next year."