We have been collaborating with BDS (Blue Diamond Society) during lockdown to support the LGBTIQ+ community with vital supplies. Here is an insight from them into life in this persecuted community in Nepal… the hope is that the pandemic will highlight these challenges at all levels of society.
The situation for the LGBTIQ+ community during the pandemic
Due to current catastrophic situation caused by COVID -19 pandemic, transgender people of Nepal become more vulnerable. Many transgender people experience discrimination and violence due to traditional rigid gender roles, stereotypes and socio-cultural norms and lack of proper legal gender recognition law.
Transgender people were discriminated against during the distribution of relief food material in initial phase from local government agency as these agencies need citizenship ID. Many transgender woman do not have citizenship ID and others have wrong ID which do not match their gender.
There have been many incidents of conflict between transgender people and their family recently. One transgender woman committed suicide in province 5 of Nepal in Nawalparasi district because of the conflict she faced with her family. Other two members of sexual and gender minorities also committed suicide in Dang and Sunsari district.
It is difficult to say whether this is suicide or murder as many activist are forced to live in home and are unable to go to the police to file a complaint in this lockdown situation. Moreover many trans-woman who are involved in sex work, labor and who were working in different informal sector are facing challenges for their livelihood. Their livelihood is severely damaged. Many transgender people are unable to get their regular hormone which effects their gender affirming process.
Recently government of Nepal announced its plan and policy for forthcoming budget. This government plan and policy related to budget fails to address the needs and issues faced by transgender community.
Blue Diamond Society has closed down its central office and district offices. We are all working remotely from home. BDS has developed “work from home policy” to guide for our staff. Our works and our campaign has been interrupted. We are working for grassroots level community. So there is impact on life of our community that our organization is dealing with. So far 4 cases of suicide because of conflict with parents during the lockdown. Many community members are developing the symptoms of mental health issues. Livelihood has been damaged.
What have BDS been doing?
We have been distributing Emergency food assistance for more than 500 LGBTI community within the Kathmandu valley regularly. We have started the process to distribute relief materials outside of Kathmandu. We have developed video message with support from UNDP.
We have developed video messages also. Watch Bhumika’s message here.
We have developed and circulated statement related to Covid and its impact on LGBTIQ people.
We are circulating different messages relating to COvid-19 to the community via email, social media and group chat through messenger, WhatsApp, viber, mobile phone etc. We have participated in different webinar related to Covid and raised our issues. We have coordinated with ART center for regular supply of ARV to our PLHIV community through CHBC program. BDS’s president Pinky Gurung is leading the network mechanism to support our community from central to local level and link if they need any kind of support. She is continuously sharing information to the community through social media. BDS is also coordinating our CBOs at local level, local level government agencies for easy access and non-discriminatory service at quarantine.
Because of BDS’s regular campaign to build alliance for solidarity, BDS has been able to collect relief assistance from its allies; celebrities, civil society organizations, collages, activist, business houses, stakeholders, its partners.
Our campaign for call for action to the government to address need of sexual and gender minorities.
As per the Constitution of Nepal, it is necessary for the government to give special attention to the affected marginalized and minority groups. In this regard, we as a collective organization, who are working for the rights of Sexual and Gender Minorities (LGBTIQ+ community), request the central level, state level, and local level government as well as the affiliated governmental and non-governmental organizations to gather more sensibility towards the establishment and recognition of these organizations in the following aspects:-
● To take a closer glance at the identification and other needs of Sexual and Gender minorities and ensure a non-discriminatory environment for them pertaining to the necessary services and facilities provided at the various quarantine sites operated throughout the country.
● To give proper direction to the security personnel to control the increasing sexual violence and other misconducts carried out during the lockdown.
● To take the appropriate approach and manage proper counseling in case of violence, misbehavior, and other forms of misconduct towards Sexual and Gender Minorities belonging to the families contracting the virus.
● To take necessary steps to discourage the broadcasting of photos
BDS extends huge gratitude to everyone who donated to The Country That Shook’s campaign and therefore allowed us to do our job and support individuals across Kathmandu with vital food supplies.
Visit Blue Diamond Society Nepal’s website here
