Challenges and measures of solution for Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights

On 29^th June 2019,

Challenges and measures of solution for Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights

The Interaction Program

 The interaction program was organized by National human right commission (NHRC) collaborating with Nil Hira Society at legacy hotel, Mustang road Pokhra, Ganadaki Pardesh. There were around 25 people participating in the program.  Government, non- government, department of Advocacy, department of police, and LGBT people are participated. Nil Hira Society fights for LGBT rights, freedom, supports as an advocacy and campaigning.  The Main aim of the program was equality and given equally right for lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender (LGBT).  In the program there was many LGBT people participated.

In the program the officer of NHRC Mr. Deepak Jung Dhoj shared his presentation about the act of our country for LGBT people. The Nepalese Constitution recognizes LGBT rights as fundamental rights. The Nepalese Constitution, approved by the Constituent Assembly on 16 September 2015, includes several provisions pertaining to the rights of LGBT people. These are the right to have their preferred gender displayed on their identity cards, a prohibition on discrimination on any ground including sex or sexual orientation by the State and by private parties, eligibility for special protections that may be provided by law, substitution of gender-neutral terms for the previous "male", "female", "son" and "daughter", and the right of access to public services for gender and sexual minorities.

Based on a ruling of the Supreme Court of Nepal in late 2007, the Government was also looking into legalizing same-sex marriage. According to several sources, the new Constitution was expected to include it.  Although the Constitution does explicitly include that "marginalized” communities are to be granted equal rights under the law and also mentions that LGBT people in Nepal particularly fall under that marginalized group, it appears to not address the legalization of same-sex marriage explicitly.

Despite these supportive laws and provisions, LGBT people still face societal discrimination in Nepal and there is significant pressure to conform and to marry a partner of the opposite sex.

 At the end he told that people have equal rights, freedom and positive discrimination. He told that how NHRC works and it supports the LGBT people. In every district there was a one person for work. They had made several meeting, training with people and they always support them.

There are some challenges faced by LGBT.  In the education sector, also while getting birth certificate, problem of house rent and marriage certificate.  They hide their private lives from colleagues and clients because of fear of homophobia, exclusion. They did not have job.

There were some cases like Shreya thapa, He is a gay. He stays with his friend.  They got married. After sometime they get separated. His wife got married with other man. And he also married with girl.  They had 3 children. They had one boy and 2 girls. He faced many problems because of his identify. When he went school with his son other people told that he is gay. He works in Pariwartan Nepal, distributes contraceptive device at night to the LGBT groups.

  Sonam karki Chettri is a boy. Before three years ago, he realized that he is a gay. But he said that he did not feel sad that he is gay.  Now he have been in a relationship with a guy s and he just wants his relationship be acceptable in society. He told that media also support them. There were several complaints about having discrimination by police, government office, in work place, by family, relatives and society.

Ms. Bina Silwal managing director of Kopila Nepal motivates LGBT groups to fight for own rights and to build up their courage, strength and face challenges. Also she suggested not have biased or discrimination between themselves. Also she informs to have more public awareness and scientific presentation about LGBT among public.

 

There was some open discussion in the program. Some LGBT shared that police arrest them without their mistake. So, the district police said that we did not arrest them without their mistake. When they did mistake only they arrested them. The LGBT people also involved crime sector.

 

At last Mr. Rajendra Ghimire shared that Society still did not accept LGBT people. Still women faced domestic violence and marginalized community people also faced different problems. Government has given them several rights so they should face the problem fight for it and go ahead. Government provides the awareness, training, programs.

From this program I saw that LGBT faced many problems.  The government, society, did not support them. I felt so sad when they shared their problems. According to  constitution they have  equal rights and freedom. 

#NOREC #INSEC #PVCHR