Kathmandu, April 20 -- Pabitra Badi Nepali, a 51-year-old cis-gendered woman from Haattikhawa Nayabasti, Tulsipur, Dang, runs a small business selling madal (a traditional Nepali drum). She lives with her partner for 27 years, 50-year-old Bimala BK, also a cis-woman. Their life together has been challenging in a society where heterosexual relationships are the norm.

Their love story began in their childhood village, where they became friends at the age of nine. Despite living a kilometre apart, they frequently met while tending to their cattle, eventually becoming best friends. "We used to herd together," recalls Badi.

Badi felt different from her friends as she never shared their interest in boys. Without resources like today, they had...