June is recognized as the pride month—a time to celebrate the rights of the LGBTIQA+ community—and Nepal will be hosting a pride parade on June 14. The event will serve as a vibrant and powerful platform for LGBTIQA+ individuals to come together, raise awareness, and advocate for equality, acceptance, and inclusion. Participants from diverse backgrounds will participate in the parade, showcasing unity and pride, and demanding for equal rights for all. ApEx spoke to three people from the community to understand where things stand and what they think must be done to make the situation even better. 

Preti Petter

I came out as a transwoman when I was 25 years old. Looking back, I realize that I had had to keep my true self hidden for a long time. Over the years, I’ve witnessed many positive changes in Nepal, especially as the government has started to work on legal frameworks supporting the LGBTIQA+ community. But there is still much that needs to change. Women in Nepal have long been vocal about their rights but our community has grown stronger and more empowered compared to them in a short time. Yet, we continue to face challenges. For example, when applying for citizenship cards, we are required to disclose every detail about ourselves, which can feel invasive and discriminatory. 

Recently, Nepal marked a milestone with its first successful male-to-female gender-affirming surgery. We had the opportunity to meet the individual and the medical team involved, and we were welcomed with respect and positive hospitality. This was a meaningful step forward. Our school curriculum should include inclusive and accurate representation. We’ve heard that the government has allocated a budget for our community, but we don’t know how it will be used—whether for training, job creation, or other initiatives. Slowly but surely, we are also advocating for a seat at the table in policy making and leadership roles. 

Anu Shahi Thakuri

I knew that I was different from a very young age but I identified myself as a transgender when I was 16 years old. It changed everything in me. When I told my parents, they said that they always had a feeling but they took it as a phase that would fade soon. Being a transman, menstruation is my biggest challenge. There has been a campaign named ‘Men Bleed too’ where many showed their support and defended it too. But at the same time, it’s difficult to access public toilets. I didn’t go to the toilet even once in my college life because there was no washroom facility for us. 

I think students should be educated about gender and sexuality so that they can be aware of their identity from early on. I heard that grade 12 students do have a course on gender but they aren’t taught properly. Once, we were asked to take classes on gender and it was a really nice opportunity for us to share our experiences. Another thing that needs to change is that we should be allowed to participate in policy making, at both local and national level. We need representation if our voices are to be heard and we shouldn’t just be there to fulfill a quota. 

Sanket Bashyal

As someone who is gay, I’ve always felt judged. I’ve also been at the receiving end of mean and hurtful comments. I have been told that I’m not “man enough” or that my expression and behavior are feminine. Fortunately, my family is supportive and caring. They are learning things about me, with me. The good thing is that Nepal has seen some significant changes where the LGBTIQA+ community is concerned in recent years. One major milestone was the legal recognition of same-sex marriage in 2023, making Nepal the first South Asian country to do so. There’s also growing social awareness and legal support for gender and sexual minorities, reflecting a more inclusive society. But there are still areas of concern.

Government policies are generally supportive, but their implementation can be inconsistent, especially outside urban centers. In healthcare, while there’s growing awareness about issues like HIV and transgender health, discrimination persists in medical settings, and many LGBTIQA+ individuals still lack access to culturally competent care. Legal protections exist, but there are gaps, particularly in employment, housing, and family rights, which means many queer individuals remain vulnerable to discrimination. The government needs not to just pass progressive laws but make sure they’re actually being enforced—especially when it comes to things like workplace equality and healthcare access.

Society needs to step up too by fostering awareness and understanding, especially in rural areas, so that everyone feels safe and accepted. Media has such a powerful role here—by showing positive, real representations of LGBTIQA+ individuals, we can shift perceptions and break down stereotypes. And in schools, integrating LGBTIQA+ topics into the curriculum and training teachers to be more inclusive can make a huge difference in how the next generation views diversity.