A total of 40 Nepali youth actively participated in a panel discussion with Nepali blogger Lex Limbu and activist Rukshana Kapali on 'Gender Issues in Nepali Society'. The event organized by Pasa Puchah Guthi UK (PPGUK) London was held at SOAS University of London on Friday.
According to a press statement released by PPGUK, President of PPGUK, Sanyukta Shrestha said in his opening remarks that “equal opportunity is the key to a progressive society and we can be inclusive only by creating space for the minorities amongst us, including the people who are outside the gender binary. “
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It added, the discussion was facilitated by International Projects advisor for the Salvation Army, Tribeni Gurung who is also the immediate-past General Secretary of the Guthi. Speaking at the discussion, Limbu expressed that he felt the need to come out as a gay person because queer community needed a voice in Nepali society. He further shared his realization from his childhood days, how society stereotypes a particular gender, and how this can be normalized by bringing wider awareness. He also suggested that every individual's journey is different, and there is no harm in coming out in society with one's sexual orientation but one should have a back-up plan.
Kapali informed about the struggle for transgender people in Nepal for their basic rights of education. She explained how they are simply categorized as 'others' in their citizenship certificate, which does not make the admission criteria straight-forward with the prevalent laws in the higher education sector.
Participants from various walks of life interacted with Limbu and Kapali about how society can be more sensitive in making it normal for people with different gender identities. Among others, they discussed about mental health issues with the queer community and how its research in Nepal can be more inclusive of queer community.
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