Pride parade held in Kathmandu

Kathmandu's streets vibrated with color and advocacy on Saturday as sexual and gender minority communities organized the Nepal Pride Parade. Participants, adorned with rainbow flags and banners, marched from Shanti Batika to Tundikhel, championing equality, inclusion, and the recognition of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.

The parade joined global Pride Month celebrations, an annual observance honoring the visibility and rights of LGBTQ+ communities. Its origins trace back to the 1969 Stonewall uprising in New York, a pivotal moment for the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.

Organizers emphasized the event's aim to promote dignity, acceptance, and equal rights for sexual and gender minorities in Nepal. While the country is recognized as one of South Asia's more progressive nations regarding LGBTQ+ rights, with legal recognition for gender and sexual diversity, activists stress the ongoing need for robust implementation of existing protections and enhanced social acceptance. The celebration concluded with a reaffirmation of demands for equality and inclusion.