Kathmandu (Pahichan) May 28 – Blue Diamond Society, mother organization of homosexuals and transgender, is collecting data about its members and staffs who are affected from April 25 earthquake. Though one month has already passed, government has not announced any data about sexual and gender minorities and staffs affected by earthquake.

A group of homosexuals and transgender assembled at Dhumbarahi office said they are facing several problems while living under the tent and while receiving government’s reliefs. Surya Bahadur Budathoki of Sindhupalchok district said government agencies have not provided any relief asking to disclose gender identity.

 “People who can speak and powerful are getting a lot of relief but we have been returned with empty hands,” said Budathoki.  According to him, homosexuals and transgender are getting very low quality tents and tarpaulins from government.

The nick name of Surya Bahadur is Gaijatri. He said some people of the district whose houses are slightly cracked are getting a lot of relief but transgender and homosexuals are deprived from relief. The Sindupalchowk is most affected district of April 25 earthquake. Surya Bahadur said people involved in relief distribution are discriminating them in relief distribution.

Homosexual male Rajan Poudel of Ramechhap Saipu’s two houses are collapsed, buffalo has died and food grains and clothes are buried.  He said public administration has evaluated the damaged very low. He said no one has addressed grievances of sexual and gender minorities.  

He suggested that Blue Diamond Society should draw the attention of donor agencies about the plights of gender and sexual minorities after April 25 Earthquake. He said that Pahichan Radio program should be resumed to voice the plights of gender and sexual minorities afterApril 25 earthquake.

The Pahichan Radio program was initiated from 2069 Shrawan 17 which was used to broadcast from 15 radio stations on daily one hour.  Shyam Shrestha, Janakram Neupane and Krishna Prasad Nupane who are affiliated with society have also badly affected by earthquake.

They said though minister himself distributed relief in the nearby village; they have not received any relief materials yet.  “We are living under the tent provide by Blue Diamond Society,” they said. Shekher Sharma said tent allocated to him by office has been taken by other people. Roshan Pariyar, a homosexual of Gorkha District suggested initiating a campaign to collect relief materials for affected people.

Legal Advisor of Blue Diamond Society Prem Bahadur Thapa said relief materials are abused as it was distributing without knowing the reality.  He said it is a failure of government as political parties are providing relief to their cadres.

Deputy Director of  Blue Diamond Society Parshuram Rai said data has been collected to start the campaign of collecting funds and relief materials. Vice-Chairman of Society Umesh Pandey said homosexuals and transgender are being victimized as they are concealing their real identity.  Secretary of Society Kumar Baidya said as Society has constituted after a big struggle no one should hesitate to disclose their proper identity. Homosexual male Bisoraj Adhikari advised not to fear to disclose true identity.