Source: UK Gay News, PinkNews, GayNZ, Times of India
A long-awaited decision by Nepal's Supreme Court recognizing full rights and protection to its LGBTI citizens has led to tears of joy from their gay community.
The Supreme Court on Monday published its full written decision on a petition demanding both protection and rights for sexual and gender minorities, UK Gay News reports.
It had announced its ruling with a summary in December last year, but hadn't published the formal judgement until today.
In December, issued directives to the government to enact new laws or amend all existing discriminatory laws so that all individuals with different sexual orientations and gender identities can exercise equal rights like any other citizens of Nepal.
"Reading this decision my eyes were filled with tears and I felt we are the most proud LGBTI citizens of Nepal in the world," admitted Nepal’s only openly gay Member of Parliament Sunil Babu Pant, who heads the country’s Blue Diamond Society, according to UK Gay News.
"It is the most beautiful news," he added.
The petition was filed by the Blue Diamond Society and three other LGBTI groups in Nepal. Blue Diamonds Society, which Pant co-founded, is a network of 20 groups and organizations working on HIV/AIDS, human rights, and social justice for sexual and gender minorities in Nepal, according to Times of India.
The decision confirms that all LGBTI people in Nepal should be defined as a "natural person" and their physical growth as well as sexual orientation, gender identity, expression are all part of natural growing process. Thus equal rights, identity and expression must be ensured regardless of their sex at birth, GayNZ reports.
The court reaffirmed its directives to the government to guarantee equal rights to all citizens, UK Gay News reports.
Homosexuality – and cross-dressing – had previously been criminal offenses in Nepal.
The court ruled that cross dressing can't be taken as "pollution" but should be taken as individual’s freedom of expression.
Source: Tears of Joy as Nepali Gays Transgender Persons at Supreme Court Decision | UK Gay News
Nepal's highest court confirms full rights for LGBT people | PinkNews
Nepal: Supreme Court gives rights for gays | GayNZ
Lessons from Nepal for sexual minorities | Times of India
hattip: GayPolitics.com
Last modified: 17 Nov 08 04:04
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