Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Intersex and Queer (LGBTIQ+) people are among the most marginalized, least visible, discriminated and subjugated against groups in Nepal. They continually face social exclusion, severe discrimination, and violence in both private and public spheres. Heteronormative gender roles are deeply rooted in social values, leaving very few LGBTIQ+ people with acceptance from their families. This discriminatory culture is also visible in medical facilities, educational institutes, workplaces and government offices. The bias-motivated violence, oppression, and harassment from the general public and from some institutions has left many of those in sexual and gender minority (SGM) communities with nowhere to go for advice and support.
That’s why, since 2001, BDS has been at the helm of the LGBTIQ+ rights movement in Asia. Founder Sunil Babu Pant began by advocating for HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention, care and treatment in Nepal. But an early obstacle for Pant was registering BDS as an NGO for sexual and gender minorities. At the time, the constitution of Nepal had no mention of sexual and gender minorities. As a result, BDS was registered as an NGO working to promote sexual health services, which made it difficult to secure reliable and recurrent funding for target areas and communities.
In 2002, BDS partnered with its first funder – Family Health International – to conduct an ethnographic survey of the community and carry out the first HIV prevention program among MSM (males having sex with males) and transgender people.
Then, in 2007, Pant and fellow human rights activists from Mitini Nepal, Cruise AIDS and Parichan filed a case with Nepal’s Supreme Court, demanding equal representation and laws that protect the LGBTIQ+ community. The group demanded the prohibition of any discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, and advocated for representation of a third gender marker in the citizenship card and passport system. Eventually, after much time and effort on behalf of activists, a landmark Court-ordered verdict required the government to repeal over 100 laws that explicitly discriminate against members of the LGBTIQ+ community. The Court also ordered the drafting of laws to legally recognize gay marriage. As such, Nepal became the first country in Asia to provide a third gender marker in official government documents. Nepal solidified its reputation as a model for the LGBTIQ+ rights movement in South Asia when sexual and gender minorities were finally granted full and equal rights under Nepal’s new constitution in 2015.
Despite the major progress made over the years, the LGBTIQ+ community in Nepal continues to face widespread discrimination and abuse in a deeply conservative society. Without strong advocacy work, sexual and gender minorities will continue to be sidelined in society. BDS has documented hundreds of cases of violence and oppression towards its staff and members including blackmail, extortion, harassment, rape, police brutality and even attempted murder. Without proper documentation, these crimes will continue to go underreported and unnoticed.
Today, BDS is forging ahead with our founding mission and values at the core of what we do. We continue to advocate for SGM and intersex communities to ensure economic empowerment, livelihood support, equal access to public and private services, representation and protection. We partner with various local and international organizations to lead projects on health and HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention including care, support and treatment; policy change in governance, human rights documentation including legal and constitutional rights violations; employment and income generating opportunities, culture and media representation and more. But there is still plenty of work to be done. Join us in the fight for equality, social justice and dignity for all Nepalis.
Mission
We facilitate the empowerment of sexual and gender minorities who are socially excluded to achieve social justice. This will be attained through:
Vision
We want to build communities free from discrimination and prejudice. We want to develop culture and promote acceptance in communities where each person is treated as an individual and respected for the choices they make. Our vision is for societies where sexual and gender minorities:
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