Kathmandu:

They proved that pink is not only a shade of colour. It is a lifestyle. It is a choice that they have made. It is a right that they stand up for, and are proud of.

On the occasion of the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO), the Blue Diamond Society (BDS) kicked of the four-day celebrations with a Pink Pageant here on May 17. The pageant started with 18 contestants from various places of Nepal — Janakpur, Pokhara, Nepalgunj and Kathmandu — dressed in pink satin gowns befitting the pageant’s title.

Bhumika was crowned Pink Queen 2007. Asked what was more important for persons of third sex — education or employment, she answered, “Both are important, but I feel education is more important because third sex persons have been restricted from so many fields. Education will help us raise awareness about who we are.”

The second runner-up was Bindya Gautam, while the first runner-up was Pushpa Lama.

The judges were Nima Rumba, Roshan Subedi and Usha Rajak, with Basundhara Bhushal was the chief guest.

Like in other pageants, a number of other titles were also given away. Sindhura was crowned Pink Personality, Anjali became Pink Charming, while Riya walked away with the title of Pink Congeniality.

The pageant was interspersed by a number of dance performances which were absolutely well received by the crowd that had packed the City Hall. The latkas and jhatkas during Mai chhori sundari received loud cheers, hootings, whistlings.

The show was compered by Pooja Gurung, who did not fail to point (a little too many times) that she had choreographed it. It would have been better if Gurung could have let the others hog the limelight instead of trying to be the showstopper throughout.

The BDS was the awardee of the Philippa D’Souza Award for the year 2007. D’Souza, a Brazilian woman who lived during the 16th Century, broke the shackles of society and declared her love for another woman knowing full well the consequences. She was sentenced to death. Sunil Babu Pant shared the Award with “other Philippas and the audience”.

The Pink celebrations did not end with the pageant. A three-day International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Film Festival in on during which films from Canada, US, France, India, Nepal will be screened. Most of the films are in English, but the non-English ones have English subtitles.

Films will be screened at Martin Chautari on May 19, and at Bakery Café Sundhara on May 20. Entry is free.