"I am very excited but also feel the responsibility on my shoulders. Our constitution has provisions for our community but they have not translated to laws and policies. Our community expects me to raise our issues [in parliament]."
"Nepal's Election Commission confirmed Shrestha as a proportional-representation MP from the Rastriya Swatantra Party following a party win in parliament. Shrestha identifies as "third gender", a gender which has been legally recognised in Nepal since a 2007 Supreme Court ruling surrounding self-identification."
Bhumika Shrestha was confirmed as Nepal's first transgender lawmaker on March 16, 2024, serving as a proportional-representation MP from the Rastriya Swatantra Party. Shrestha identifies as "third gender," a legally recognized gender category in Nepal since a 2007 Supreme Court ruling. Nepal leads South Asia in LGBTQ+ rights with progressive laws, though discrimination persists. Shrestha expressed excitement about the appointment while acknowledging responsibility to advance community issues in parliament. The LGBTQ+ community celebrated at the Blue Diamond Society headquarters, presenting Shrestha with flowers, scarves, and commemorative gifts. Shrestha emphasized that constitutional provisions for the community have not yet translated into concrete laws and policies.
Read at PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news
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