On Gaijatra, sexual minorities march in Kathmandu

KATHMANDU: About 1,000 members of sexual minorities and their supporters have paraded in Nepal's Capital to demand equality and implementation of their rights under the country's new Constitution.

Participants in the parade, organised on Friday in downtown Kathmandu, said they still do not have equal rights despite a constitutional ban on discrimination on the basis of sexuality.

The charter was adopted last year; but has not been fully implemented by the government because of opposition from several minority groups.

The marchers carried banners saying, "We should not be deprived of our rights. We demand implementation of the rights guaranteed by the new Constitution."

Among the supporters in the march was US Ambassador to Nepal Alaina B Teplitz.

The parade has been held annually for the past few years on Gaijatra, a Hindu festival to remember the dead, when people are traditionally allowed to cross-dress.

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