POKHARA: Hundreds took to Nepal's Pokhara on Friday to show their solidarity with the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in their demand for recognition of transgenders as a third gender on citizenship certificates in the country. The activists were also pushing the government to allow same-sex marriages and to criminalize discrimination based on sexual identity. The group marched through the resort town some 5 hours west of Kathmandu in their show of solidarity. Sunil Babu Pant of the Blue Diamond Society, an organization that supports sexual minorities in Nepal, said the rally was an opportunity for people to come out. “The rally gives us an opportunity to seek the support of the public and be more visible in the society," Pant said in comments published by The Associated Press. “There are more and more people coming out in the open, and this rally gives them a chance." Pant, a former parliament member, has been campaigning for rights of sexual minorities to be included in the new constitution, which was being written by the Constitution Assembly before it expired earlier this year. A new assembly is scheduled to be elected in November. Nepal's Supreme Court ruled in 2008 that the government should issue citizenship certificates with a third gender. The government said it would, but the process is taking time. Too much time said activists. “We want to see this change happen now so there won't be discrimination,” one activist told Bikyamasr.com. “Life is changing in Nepal and this means it should change for all Nepalis, not just straight people,” the activist added. Nepal's Supreme Court ruled in 2007 to implement laws guaranteeing gay rights. However, the Blue Diamond Society says the verdict has so far not been implemented. A government official told Bikyamasr.com that “we have not done anything that contradicts our rulings and legislation, it is an education thing and I do think this could help people get to know the real gay community." Earlier this year, Nepal hosted the world's first gay sporting event, which showcased LGBT athletes from South Asia.
