Nepal’s LGBTQ+ community is celebrating a historic milestone after Bhumika Shrestha was confirmed as the country’s first transgender lawmaker on 16 March.
Nepal’s Election Commission announced Shrestha’s appointment as a proportional-representation MP for the Rastriya Swatantra Party, following the party’s recent parliamentary success.
Shrestha identifies as “third gender”, a classification that has been legally recognised in Nepal since a landmark 2007 Supreme Court ruling affirming the right to self-identification.
While Nepal is widely regarded as a regional leader in LGBTQ+ rights across South Asia, with some of the most progressive legal frameworks, discrimination and barriers persist for many within the community.
Speaking about the appointment, Shrestha acknowledged both the excitement and the responsibility that comes with the role.
“I am very excited but also feel the responsibility on my shoulders,” she said.
“Our constitution has provisions for our community but they have not translated to laws and policies. Our community expects me to raise our issues [in parliament].”
The historic moment was met with celebration from LGBTQ+ supporters, with many gathering at the Kathmandu headquarters of the Blue Diamond Society — an organisation Shrestha has worked with — to mark the occasion.
Supporters presented her with flowers, scarves and symbolic gifts, honouring the significance of her appointment and what it represents for LGBTQ+ visibility and political representation in Nepal.
