First Trans Candidates Nepal Election
Two Transgender Candidates Enter Local Elections
For the first time in Nepal’s history, two openly transgender candidates are running for local elections. Honey Maharjan and Mouni Maharjan are both vying for political positions. Although they share the same surname, they are not related. These activists are participating in local by-elections, marking a symbolic milestone for Nepal’s LGBTQ+ community.
A Progressive Landscape with Lingering Challenges
Despite being recognized as a trailblazer in LGBTQ+ rights in South Asia, Nepal has not had an openly LGBTQ+ representative in office since 2008. Honey Maharjan, 44, hopes her candidacy will inspire others in the queer community to engage openly in politics. On Sunday, December 1, she will run for mayor of Kirtipur, a municipality near Kathmandu.
Honey points out that, despite legal advancements, queer individuals still face discrimination in areas such as employment, education, and healthcare. “Until now, no one from our community had exercised the right to run for mayoral elections in Nepal,” she stated.
Reflecting on her past experiences of abuse and discrimination, Honey expressed her desire to change this reality: “We are also part of this society and can contribute to its betterment. This is what I want to do if I am elected.”
Mouni Maharjan: Advocating for Education and Employment
Mouni Maharjan, 29, is running for the position of ward chairperson in the same area. Also a member of Nepal’s People’s Socialist Party, she has centered her campaign on combating LGBTQ+ discrimination, particularly in workplaces and schools. Mouni advocates for creating job opportunities for the community and introducing LGBTQ+-inclusive education in schools.
“I will work to include a curriculum on our community in school courses so that the new generation will more easily accept our presence and treat us better,” she explained.
Read also : India Supreme Court Declines Same-Sex Marriage in India
A Pivotal Moment for Nepal’s LGBTQ+ Community
Former parliamentarian and LGBTQ+ activist Sunil Babu Pant previously championed several equality campaigns, including the fight for same-sex marriage rights. Since leaving Parliament in 2013, no other LGBTQ+ representative has been elected.
“Since I left, our voice has been absent in lawmaking and policy-making bodies,” Pant told AFP. However, he sees these two candidacies as a significant step forward: “Having two candidates in this election is hugely positive progress for Nepal.”
These elections represent a turning point, offering hope for greater representation of the LGBTQ+ community in Nepalese society.
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