Members of the queer community are increasingly vocal about their rights and the state’s responsibility to allow them to live with dignity.

In this connection, the LGBTIQA+ community celebrated the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOTB) on May 17 this week. Mitini Nepal, an NGO working for the rights and dignity of Lesbian, Bisexuals and Transgender people, organized an event in Gairidhara, Kathmandu. Nanda Bahadur Pun, vice president of Nepal, inaugurated the event. People danced, sang, and recited poetry. All in all, it was an essential coming together of people of different identities.

Laxmi Ghalan, founder and president of Mitini Nepal, said events like these are crucial for the society to understand and accept the LGBTIQA+ community. She said the LGBTIQA+ people face domestic violence and are isolated and thus anxious. They also don’t have access to proper medical facilities. “Homophobia, stemming from a lack of understanding of sexual identities and orientation, is the main reason behind all the problems we face on a daily basis,” she said. Ruby Rana, former Miss Nepal, added treating homosexuality as a disease is indicative of our narrow mindset.