The Himalayan Times - Identity for sexual minority in citizenship card - Detail News

Full News

Identity for sexual minority in citizenship card

Added At:  2012-05-24 11:37 PM  

Last Updated At: 2012-05-25 11:37 PM

  • Bookmark and Share

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: At long last, the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community will receive recognition as ‘others’ in the sexual identity option in their citizenship certificate.

The Home Ministry yesterday decided to add the ‘others’ option in the annex to the prevailing only ‘male’ or ‘female’ in the citizenship certificate. President of Blue Diamond Society (BDS) — a network of LGBTs working for the welfare of the third gender — and CA member Sunil Babu Panta expressed gratitude to the government saying the decision has brought happiness to LGBTs who were deprived of various rights.

“The decision has recognised the dignity of minority groups,” said Panta, adding, “The groups were facing harassment in college admission, hospitals, job application, property inheritance, during travel and post-natural-disaster-response time compensation.”

The Supreme Court had directed the government on December 21, 2007 to award citizenship to minority groups and recognise them. However, it took over four years to implement the direction.

Home Ministry Spokesperson Shankar Koirala said they have sent the decision for publication in the Nepal Gazette. The decision will become valid from the day it is published in the gazette and LGBTs will get recognition, added Koirala.

Full Name

Email Address

Location

Leave Comments


Enter Character above

Also Read

Related News