Nepal LGBTQI+ Hold First Pride Rally Since US Funding Cuts

Nepal's LGBTQ+ community held a vibrant pride rally in Kathmandu during the traditional Gai Jatra festival, which honors deceased loved ones and has evolved into a platform for social and political expression. The event served both as a memorial and a call for greater legal rights, highlighting ongoing challenges despite Nepal's 2015 constitution that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and allows same-sex marriage. Activists, including former parliamentarian Sunil Babu Pant, emphasized the need for improved implementation of legal rights and greater political representation. The rally was particularly poignant as it marked the first since the U.S. government, under President Donald Trump's administration, ceased financial aid to Nepal's LGBTQ+ campaigns, resulting in the closure of many vital support centers. Despite these setbacks, community leaders like Simran Sherchan expressed hope for alternative funding to restore essential health and counseling services. The event underscored both the resilience of Nepal's LGBTQ+ community and the gap between legal progress and practical support.