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Ambassador and His Staff at British Embassy March in Kathmandu Gay Pride
 

■ Nepal's only openly gay MP, Sunil Pant, rode on an elephant during today's Gay Pride in Kathmandu. photo courtesy British Embassy in Kathmandu (Crown Copyright)

KATHMANDU, August 25, 2010  –  British Ambassador John Tucknott, and Embassy staff joined hands at the street parade in a show of support and solidarity with the sexual and gender minority communities of Nepal in the capital’s colourful Gay Pride parade this afternoon.

The Pride parade also included Nepal’s sole openly gay MP, Sunil Pant beaming and waiving a Rainbow flag atop an elephant, as well as the United States Embassy.

“Nepal Pride is not just about LGBT people standing up for their rights,” Ambassador Tucknott said before the parade.

“It’s about all of us – straight or gay – supporting them in their quest for equality.  It is about saying no to intolerance, no to prejudice, no to discrimination, and no to violence.

“It is about saying yes to embracing diversity. I wish all the participants in Nepal Pride 2010 a safe and enjoyable day.”

- continued below photograph

■ Ambassador JJohn Tucknott (fourth from left holding banner)  and Embassy staff took part in Gay Pride in Kathmandu photo courtesy British Embassy in Kathmandu (Crown Copyright)/span>

The UK supports the right of sexual and gender minorities to march together in order to raise awareness of the specific issues that affect them, the British Embassy said in an official statement.

“Many individuals still face discrimination, from society and the state, based on their sexual orientation and gender identity.  The UK has a long history of defending the basic rights and freedoms of the marginalised and vulnerable.

“We are committed to placing human rights at the heart of foreign policy.  Everyone, including gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, should be free to enjoy the full rights and freedoms accorded to the people of Nepal.

“Human rights – including justice, equality, and freedom of expression – are the foundations upon which democratic states are built. International human rights law is grounded on the premise that all individuals are entitled to the same rights and freedoms, as set out in agreements to which Nepal is party,” the statement concluded.

Mr. Pant, who also heads Nepal’s LGBT advocacy group, Blue Diamond Society, said that the Pride, officially the 2010 Gaijatra International Pride Festival, went well.  It was the ninth Pride to be staged in Karthmandu.

“The theme of the pride festival was ‘end all forms of discrimination, end poverty and promote tourism’,”Mr. Pant said via email.

“We would like to thank British Embassy, US embassy, Irish MP Dominic Hannigen and the two thousand LGBTs, friends, families and supporters who [took part, either in the parade on watching]”

“Gaijatra is a unique festival.  It is now established  as international Pride event.  We had foreign participation from 15 countries, including India, Japan, US, UK, Denmark, France, Norway and Australia,”

Mr. Pant added that more international participation was expected next year.

Nepal Tourist Board has just launched a campaign, which will include LGBT tourists in the campaign.

Next year has been designated ‘Year of Tourism’ and the Nepal Tourist Board hopes to welcome one million international visitors to the country.  This compares with almost 400,000 in 2009.

■ Thanks to the British Embassy in Kathmandu for the two photographs on this page. Both are Crown Copyright.  Five more photos from the Pride by the Embassy can be seen HERE (via Flickr).

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