beyondbrics

By Prateek Pradhan in Kathmandu

Nepal’s gay community has added some extra colour to the traditional festival of Gaijatra this year, in a carnival of humour, satire, fanfare and fun.

On Wednesday, hundreds of gay people from around the country – along with friends and family – joined a rally around the capital led by Sunil Babu Pant, a parliamentarian representing gays and sexual minorities in the House.

Pant, on top of an elephant waving the rainbow flag representing sexual diversities, was followed by hundreds of gays and gay rights activists – on decorated horse-drawn chariots, open trucks and also on foot.

Those present seemed overjoyed that – in Nepal’s otherwise very conservative society – so many had come out on the street, and shown their support. The Interim Constitution of Nepal in 2006 changed the way Nepal’s gay community is treated – establishing the rights of gays and sexual minorities by officially recognising them as the third gender. Before the recognition, gays and sexual minorities were chased and beaten up by the police in the very same streets.

Named International Gaijatra Pride Festival 2010, the parade was a good blend with the traditional Gaijatra festival, where the locals of Kathmandu come out on the street with painted faces and funny decorations (accompanied by decorated cows). The cultural part of the festival is in remembrance of relatives who have passed away in the previous year. In addition, the country celebrates the day as an opportunity for political satire through stage shows and various other media.

“We expect to internationalise Nepal’s Gaijatra festival with the addition of Pride Parade,” said Sunil Babu Pant, a gay rights activist and the president of the Blue Diamond Society that organised the pride parade.

The Blue Diamond Society is expecting to convert Nepal into a tourism destination for gay tourists from all around the globe. “As in Nepal, ten percent of the population is gay. We want all gay tourists to visit Nepal safely and enjoy their trip with open identity,” said Pant.

With Nepal expecting a million tourists during its Visit Nepal Year 2011, the society is boasting to bring 300,000 gay tourists. “We are developing tourism packages for gay tourists, contacting with them and convincing them that Nepal is a safe haven for gay tourists,” Pant added.

Pant’s group has established a tour company to cater to gay tourists. Pink Mountain Tour Company organises trekking trips in the Himalayas and provides same-sex wedding ceremony services at the Mount Everest base camp.

“I’m delighted to know that Nepal is going to be a tourist destination for gay people. I hope it will further sensitise people about us and will resolve our problems,” said Swastika Lama, a 21-year-old female participant in the rally.

Related:

Gay marriages will prevail for economic reasons – Miami Herald

China steps into Himalayan void – beyondbrics

Nepal: a high altitude liquidity crunch – beyondbrics

Violence at Gay Pride in Slovakia – FT

Video: Gay marriage in Mexico City – FT