LGBT rights in Nepal

LGBT rights in Nepal are in a possible state of change, in light of a 2007 Supreme Court ruling. However, as of 2008. homosexuality and cross-dressing are criminal offenses.

Criminal Law

Private, homosexual relations between consenting adults are a crime, with a maximum punishment of two years in prison. Cross-dressing is also illegal under various laws against public immorality.

2007 Court Decision

On December 21, 2007, the Supreme Court of Nepal ruled that the government must create laws to protect LGBT rights and change existing laws that are tantamount to discrimination. [ [http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/12/122107nepal.htm 365gay.com, "Nepal High Court Issues Landmark Gay Ruling] ," December 21 2007] [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7156577.stm Nepal court rules on gay rights] BBC News, December 21 2007]

The judicial method was found to be the most effective after gay rights groups found that courting the political establishment only lead to being ignored even after participating in the demonstrations that brought down the monarchy. [http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20080630/wl_csm/odiamond_1 Gay activist in Nepal campaigns against discrimination] , by Henry Chu, The Christian Science Monitor, June 30, 3008, access date June 30, 2008] Furthermore the media has also been kind as of late since an incident whence a police officer slit a transgerdered girl's throat, the media was very kind to this story. The viewer who are largely unsympathetic to homosexuals where very sympathetic in this case and the violence that gay people are subjected to. Thenceforth the gay movements profile has been highlighted and the people have increased their support of the movements causes and objectives albeit a small portion of the population is highly supportive to the point of favoring marriage equality, but they are more inclined to support non discrimination laws as ordered by the courts.

Politics

The Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist has made several homophobic statements. Party members have described homosexuality as "a production of capitalism" that "doesn't exist" under socialism, and LGBT people as "social pollutants." [ [http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/04/16/nepal15694.htm Human Rights Watch: "Nepal: Maoists Should End Anti-Gay Violence"] , April 16, 2007]

LGBT people in Nepal are represented by human rights group the Blue Diamond Society.

References

[http://www.bds.org.np/ Blue Diamond Society]

External links