Nepal has placed itself among a handful of countries in the world allowing third gender passports to be issued. Manoj Shahi, who identifies as Monica Shahi, has become the first transgender in Nepal to be issued a passport in which the applicant marked the gender as ‘other’, government officials said. According to the Himalaya Times, Monica is yet to collect the passport and applied for the identification document after undergoing sex reassignment surgery.
A passport matching an identity
Pinky Gurung, chairperson of the Blue Diamond Society, an organization working with sexual minorities in Nepal, said this was a milestone in the LGBTI movement. “It’s great that the other category in citizenship has been extended to passport,” she was quoted as saying on eKantipur.com. “This is a historic moment. ”Nepal joined both Australia and New Zealand, who also have a third gender option —indeterminate — marked with an “X” on travel documents. The move follows an amendment of passport regulations earlier this year. Nepal first recognized and allowed for applicants to identify as third gender in the census and citizenship card in 2011. The conservative Hindu-majority nation mired in a decade-long civil conflict up until 2006, currently suffering the aftermaths of a deadly earthquake, has been slowly progressing toward a wider acknowledgement of LGBT rights.
Yet, all that glitters isn’t gold
Manisha (name changed), a 24-years-old trans woman, told Clapway she faced severe discrimination in her village as a teenager. Transgender people, known locally as ‘chhakka’, still struggle for recognition and are often resigned to a life ostracized from their community. Manisha completely cut ties with her family. This impedes her from retrieving her citizenship certificate – a vital document needed to officially recognize her “third gender” identity.
Discrimination persists
In Nepal, many LGTB people work as prostitutes to make ends meet. Priya Magar, a sex worker, plays a dangerous game of hide and seek with the police in Kathmandu’s tourist hub. Five years ago she was almost gang raped by five men after being picked up by a private car. She explained that transgender people in Nepal face daily difficulties in renting a room or applying for jobs because of their appearance. Violence against them is often brutal. It occurs in public spaces, police stations, prisons, and in their homes. Badri Pun, a proponent of same sex marriage and a Nepali transgender man said LGTB people will continue to fight for their rights. What do you think of third gender passports being issued in Nepal? Share your views in the comments section below.
Celebrate the landmark achievement in transgender rights with a selfie using a DealStock Selfie Stick.
“Historic Moment”: Nepal Issues Third Gender Passport
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