KATHMANDU: Hundreds of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transvestites paraded through Nepal's capital to demand that rights for sexual minorities be included in the country's new constitution that is being finalised.

The colorful rally in downtown Kathmandu — an annual affair — drew about 500 participants.

The activists say they want the rights of sexual minorities guaranteed in the constitution and that all discrimination based on sexual orientation to end.

They have been rallying every year on Gaijatra, a Hindu festival to remember the dead.

The much-delayed constitution draft is being finalised by members of the Constituent Assembly, but political parties are still unable to agree on the number and border of the proposed federal states.