Mitini Nepal: Fight against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia

On May 17, 1990, the World Health Organization decided to declassify homosexuality as a disease. Since then, this day has been observed as International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOTB), an international celebration of sexual and gender diversity.

Due to the COVID-19, the group had not been able to mark the day with gusto for the last three years. But this year, to celebrate the day, Mitini Nepal held a grand event today at Silver Oak in honor of IDAHOTB 2022. It featured seven different stories of LGBTQ people, including community celebrities, with the theme 'Our Bodies, Our Lives, Our Rights.'

With the presence of participants from seven provinces, embassies, ministries, women commissions, inclusive commissions, information commissions, chairpersons, UN agencies, INGOs/NGOs, and the media, the event was commenced by the speech of a special guest of the event, Vice President, Nanda Kishor Pun.

Mitini Nepal, a women-led non-governmental organization (NGO), was founded in 2006 to fight for the rights and dignity of lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (LBT) people. They not only envision a better world but also believe that everyone has the right to reach their full potential and live dignified lives. Laxmi Ghalan, the organization's founder says, “No one should be judged based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Everyone should get equal opportunity.”

According to Ghalan, LGBTQ+ people report an increased risk of domestic and family violence, as well as increased social isolation and anxiety, as well as difficulty accessing critical sexual and reproductive health and rights. "We all have the right to make our own decisions about our health, bodies, sexuality, and lives without fear, coercion, violence, or discrimination," adds further.

The event was followed by a brief QnA by Nilam Paudel, Human Resource Officer of Mitini Nepal. The person who gave the right answer was provided a gift. For recreation, there was a dance performance by different participants, some read poems and one of them sang a song for the audience. At the end, tokens of love were handed over to the participants and the guests.