Today, the Nepali Supreme Court ruled to protect the rights of all its citizens, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity, Gay Life Atlanta reports. Under the ruling, “equal rights, identity and expression must be ensured regardless of [a citizen’s] sex at birth.” The ruling also ensured that cross-dressing would be considered “freedom of expression,” alternative sexualities and gender identities would be legally deemed “natural,” and a committee would be formed to make recommendations on a Nepali gay marriage or same sex partnership act, which must be introduced (though it’s not known when).

From Sunil Pant, the country’s “first openly gay member of Parliament”: “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.”