LGBT+ Pride Festival brings hundreds together in Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu

Hundreds of people took part in the Pride festival in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, on Tuesday, August 20. The event marked the first parade since the country legalized same-sex marriage, with a lesbian couple making history in February by having their marriage recognized by the government.

The queer community marched through the streets of Kathmandu, highlighting the fight for equal rights and honoring those who were unable to participate. The event coincided with the traditional Gai Jatra festival, which commemorates those who have passed away in the past year, creating a link between social causes and cultural traditions.

Bhumika Shrestha, an LGBTQIA+ rights activist and actress, stressed the importance of the event. “Gai Jatra has a long tradition, and we are all here to help preserve it. As a sexual minority, we are doing our part to save this tradition,” Shrestha told VOA News.

The parade was marked by colorful costumes and messages of support for diversity, reaffirming Nepal’s commitment to LGBTQ+ rights. The country is the second in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, following Taiwan, which approved marriage equality in 2019.

By Ezatamentchy