Nepal Jumps Ahead on Gay and Transgender Rights

After California voters passed the proposition to ban gay marriage in the state, gay and transgender rights is back on the headlines in America. While the debate rages on there, Nepal – a faraway country, much smaller and often ignored on the world stage is now being looked upon as an example on how to handle the gay and transgender rights issue.

On November 17th Nepal’s Supreme Court issued a historic ruling which grants protection to gays, lesbians and transgender community in the country. It also open doors for gay marriage rights and end all discriminatory laws.

At Towleroad commentators expressed their support for Nepal’s decision. John in California notes the country’s Supreme Court ruling and also changes happening in Asia regarding sexual minorities and transgender rights.

“I don't think we'll see much momentum on gay issues in the Middle East and Africa beyond what has already happened in Israel and South Africa…… I think the gay rights movement of the 21st century will be fought in these two areas of the world. Aside from this great ruling in Nepal, we've seen some encouraging signs Asians are finally willing to talk about sexuality.”

Efforts of a Nepali gay rights group is also being discussed by bloggers, especially the fact that the group-Blue Diamond Society’s founder Sunil Pant is the only openly gay member of Nepal’s Constitutional Assembly. PinkNews UK quotes Mr. Pant’s reaction to the ruling

“Reading this decision my eyes were filled with tears and I felt we are the most proud LGBTI citizens of Nepal in the world.”

Nepal’s efforts are having effects in neighboring countries too, especially India. Transgender rights activists in city of Bangalore (now called Bengaluru) are looking at changes in Nepal and hope that the city police’s campaign against sexual minorities would end soon.

“Police from Banashakari Police Station (Bengaluru City) verbally abused and assaulted (physically and sexually) 40 plus human rights defenders and sexual minorities when they questioned the illegal detention of 5 hijras (transgenders) by Girinagar Police station on 20th October, 2008.”

Interestingly, the question about religion has not affected gay rights debate in Nepal. The country is majority Hindu, with Muslims, Buddhists, Christians and indigenous population making up about 10% of the population. Some attribute this to the lack of rigid hierarchy or leadership structure in Hinduism.

“In 2004, Hinduism Today reporter Rajiv Malik asked several Hindu swamis (teachers) their opinion of same-sex marriage. The swamis expressed a range of opinions, positive and negative. They felt free to differ with each other…..made possible by the fact that Hinduism has no one hierarchy or leader. As Mahant Ram Puri remarked, “We do not have a rule book in Hinduism. We have a hundred million authorities.”

Ancient Hindu texts like the Mahabharta have transgender characters that did not face discrimination from the society and even Lord Krishna was fond of cross dressing to please his beloved.

7 comments

  • Pant,Dibakar, Currently in the US

    The right to life has not yet been well cared and concerened by Nepali authority,political parties and leaders,leaders of civil society and human rights activists as well.There are incraesing incidents of abducting,torturing,killing and burying the body by followers of political party and others,the founding the body of local busineesman Ram Hari shrestha,journalist Birendra Shaha and Thakuri and recently found bodies of Sunil pant and Pushkar Dangol after a month they were abducted,were the few instances to clear the horrible situation.In order to safeguard the right to life the Judiciary needs to play more active and interventional role but in the case of Nepal,this yet not been honestly initiated.The state of impunity seems getting officially promoted because no culprit of gross human rights violators ever been found before crimonal justice instead the criminals have been found setting free from proceeding and jail in the anme of political crimes.The judiciary,National Human Rights Commission and UN Human Rights Commission a;; found somehow ineffective and almost failed to cope the dangerous trends seen in this respect.But,in other human rights issues other than most genuine concern of life,the judiciary and other concerned institution have been found playing extra activism.Before laudly talking and higkly reccmmending any issues including gay and trasgender rights,there should be done appropriate and suiatble step where the rights of person is also respected and protected and at the same time the natural laws and usual life as well as the civilized form of society could also not be negatively distrubed and distabilised.

  • eugene

    the nepalese really showed us how it should be done. but then, they do not have to deal with christians.

  • […] of ethnic and caste discrimination, and sometimes ridiculously sexist social and legal practices, recently granted gay and transgender citizens deserved rights:   On November 17th Nepal’s Supreme Court issued a historic rulingwhich grants protection to […]

  • […] a final interesting possibility raised by a Global Voices commentator from Nepal, is that the country’s predominantly Hindu culture is more accepting […]

  • Jyoti

    hope all will get equal rights and not even the minorities groups would be discarded from the human rights.
    Jai Nepal

  • Barry Brown

    I am very pleased that Nepal is moving towards a state in which all may be who they are.

    However, be warned that things in the West are not all sweetness and light, so I trust that Nepal will not just imitate everything the West does on the mistaken assumption that ‘West’ equals ‘progress’.

    I suppose what I am saying to Nepal is: don’t reject your values, use your values and change them for the better.

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