When it comes to alternate sexuality, Nepal is among the most progressive nations on earth. In 2013, Germany became the first European country to recognize third gender, but Neal had already counted its third genders in the 2012 census. In fact, it was the first country to do so. A 2012 court victory for Badri Pun, a transgender who demanded to be identified as third gender on his passport, opened the door for many of these vital changes for gender equality. The court also ordered a cancellation of all discriminatory laws against third gender, and set a precedent for the state’s recognition of alternate genders. Subsequently, Nepal became one of the few countries to recognize third genders in government documents like citizenship and passport. But practically, things have not progressed far enough for Nepal’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersexed (LGBTI) community. Our rigid social makeup still treats members of LGBTI community as anomalies, forcing them to live in relative anonymity.[break]
There are many misconceptions regarding alternate sexuality that perpetuate society’s treatment of LGBTI individuals as pariahs. Many believe, for example, that alternate sexuality is an upper income class trend, while in reality, most homosexuals and transgender individuals are from middle and low classes. Others believe that homosexuality is imported from the West, when it is well documented in our history and mythology. But these logical arguments are not enough to convince people, perhaps because of the most damning assumption of all: that alternate sexuality is unnatural and disrupts the order of nature. However, zoologists now know that homosexuality is found abundantly in the animal kingdom. These kinds of scientific research do not find much traction in mainstream media, most of which are still very conservative, a clear reflection of our society.
Unless the knowledge that individuals are born with a sexual orientation, and that is not something that can be changed, filters through to all sections of the society, the discrimination against LGBTI community will continue. The majority of us may feel safe in our heterosexual orientations, but the small minority who identify with the opposite sex, or are attracted to people of the same sex, or to transgender, the prospect of being forced into a ‘normal’ marital life is frightening. The hopes of LGBTI community are high, following the government’s landmark progressive steps. We have come so far, but this is not the moment to rest on our laurels. We as a society need to open up and let individuals live the lives they want to without restriction. The question of how one dresses and who one marries should be an individual choice, not dictated by the law. Many members of the LGBTI community believe that equal rights, including the rights of marriage, are important first steps towards their social acceptance. While the LGBTI community lobbies for these steps, society must prepare to welcome a future of diversity, where everyone is treated equally and with dignity and no person is humiliated for personal choices, be it in dressing or in relationships.
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