Lalitpur (Pahichan) December 6 – The first phase of PurpleMySchool campaign launched by Blue Diamond Society has been completed.  The first phase was concluded at Ullens School at Lalitpur with teacher’s commitment of creating an appropriate environment for gender and sexual minority students. 

The campaigns were organized in Joseph High School, Suroydya, Ananda Bhumi, Indrayani and Yuba Prativa Bidhaya Mandir. The campaign was launched with a purpose of creating a safe environment for homosexual, transgender and inter-sex students. The slogan of campaign is ‘Creating Safe for LGBTI Student.’ The campaign will be completed on December 10, International Human Rights Day.

UNESCO Kathmandu Office has provided financial support while UNDP has provided technical support for the campaign. On the last day of campaign, an interaction program was organized between students and teachers of ULLENS School.

In the interaction programs, students asked reasons behind being homosexual, transgender and inter-sex, their life style among others. They also asked about the social activities of this community, social perspectives and asked how to make a favorable environment for them overcoming social discrimination.

In all six schools, transgender rights activists Bhumika Shrestha said members of this community do not have appropriate environment to study, the campaign aims to make appropriate environment for them.

Transgender rights activists Akanshya Timalsena said she still members that teacher told that there are not transgender so she should change her life style and gestures. Transgender Ruksana Kapali, homosexual Gauri Nepali, homosexual man Purush Diwas and Inter-sex Ishan Regmi attend the program on last day.

Kapali who passed SLC exam last year said though she was born as male, she found the features of female in her while studying in grade 6\7. “People have threatened to expel me from school, however my family accepted me so that school could not expel me,” said Kapali.

Ishan Regmi who is working as human rights activist in Norwegian project launched by Blue Diamond Society, faced psychological tensions as some people said she is a fake student in exams. Homosexual Gauri Nepali said though her interest is to like female, she cannot express it which has added pain at her.  After interaction programs, student said it has been beneficial as it provided an opportunity to them to know about this community without any hesitations.

They expressed a commitment that they would not involve in any discrimination and they will raise voices against any discrimination. Bharat Shrestha appealed all the students to join social campaign of PurpleMySchool campaign.  As per this campaign it should be published by hastaging in social media uploading in Facebook and Twitter.