Kathmandu (Pahichan) August 9 – Like in the previous years, members of gender and sexual minority have celebrated the Gaijatra festival organizing various programs. The theme of the celebration was ‘My family and my friends are proud about me.’ About two thousand homosexual, transgender and inter-sex people from across the country have gathered in Kathmandu to celebrate this festival.

This festival is celebrated in the remembrance of family and relatives who died this year. This year transgender Mamata CK, Film Director Nilu Dolma and Gilbart Bekar lost their lives and there was candle light in the name of those people. A rally than began Thamel was concluded in Basantapur which was participated by members of this community. The festival was inaugurated by Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare Asha Koirala. Executive Director of Society Manisha Dhakal informed Minister Koirala about this community.

Dhakal expressed the hope that same-sex marriage law will be formulated during Koirala’s tenure. Speaking to Pahichan, Minister Koirala said that Ministry would bring special program to ensure the dignified and comfortable life of gender and sexual minority.  Koirala said that Nepal is a progressive state in South Asia when it comes to the rights of gender and sexual minority.

Koirala said that consultations are underway on how to formulate laws of this community as per constitutional provisions. Society is celebrating this festival since 2002. Chairman of BDS Pinky Gurung said that this festival is helping to normalize the life of gender and sexual minority. Members of this community celebrate this festival in a different way.

Newly married couple Monika Shahi and Ramesh Nath Yogi celebrated the happiness in the festival. “I am very happy. First family, second society and third state should accept this community. For me, this has been fulfilled,” said Shahi. Monika said all should get rights to register their rights.

Similarly former member of the Constituent Assembly and well known LGBTI activist and the person who initiated Gaijatra Pride in Nepal Sunil Babu Pant has expressed his happiness over the Gaijatra Pride event and has expressed his regards to all the community members.

Pictures from the Gaijatra event :