Two trans women make history in Nepal

November 22 marked a significant achievement for Nepal’s LGBTQ+ community.

Honey Maharjan and Mouni Maharjan, both from the People’s Socialist Party-Nepal, became the first trans individuals to run for office in the country during local elections. Honey vied for the position of mayor in Kirtipur, near Kathmandu, whereas Mouni sought to become a ward chair in the same area, according to ‘Washington Blade’. While neither was elected, experts and activists view their candidacies as a pivotal moment for LGBTQ+ representation in Nepalese politics.

Honey Maharjan, aged 44, transitioned from being a tour guide to an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights after facing discrimination for being a trans woman. Mouni Maharjan, 29, campaigned for improved local infrastructure and LGBTQ+-inclusive education, focusing on introducing such curricula in schools and creating job opportunities for marginalised communities.

In 2007, the Supreme Court mandated legal recognition of a third gender. By 2013, Nepal held its inaugural Pride parade, indicating increasing acceptance and visibility of LGBTQ+ individuals. The country’s new constitution, implemented in 2015, guarantees equal rights for all citizens, including LGBTQ+ people. Further, in 2018, the Supreme Court broadened protections for LGBTQ+ individuals concerning marriage, inheritance, social recognition, and other areas.

Sunil Babu Pant, founder of the Blue Diamond Society, Nepal’s LGBTQ+ rights organisation, became the first openly gay person elected to parliament in 2017. Since 2020, trans individuals in Nepal can legally amend their gender on official documents without surgery.

A 2023 study by UN Women and the Blue Diamond Society revealed that 81 percent of LGBTQ+ individuals in Nepal experience physical violence, discrimination, and verbal abuse, exacerbated by traditional norms and a lack of awareness.

Nepal stands as a pioneer in LGBTQ+ rights in South Asia concerning legal protections and ongoing discussions about same-sex marriage rights. Despite these advancements, there remains a substantial gap between policies and their implementation, and LGBTQ+ political representation is minimal.

With Pant’s departure from office in 2023, there are currently no openly LGBTQ+ individuals in the parliament or among policymakers.

During their campaigns in Kirtipur, Honey and Mouni Maharjan pledged to advance LGBTQ+ inclusion, particularly in politics, and to combat discrimination in education, health care, and employment. Their platforms also focused on guaranteeing equal rights and opportunities for marginalised people, as well as raising awareness to diminish stigma and discrimination.

Honey told the Washington Blade she was pleased with her run for office, highlighting support from her family and friends. “Despite Kirtipur's large LGBTQ community, they didn't publicly support me,” Honey noted. She explained the challenges, citing limited campaign budgets compared to established parties like Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Center). “People back only prominent political parties, not our efforts. These are our struggles as transgender political candidates in Nepal,” she explained.

Had she won, Honey Maharjan planned to focus on education, health care, and infrastructure. “I am a bit disappointed not to have won,” she admitted, “but I’m grateful for the media coverage during my campaign.”

Encouraging fellow community members, Honey emphasized, “We must realize we're not alone. If we don’t step forward, challenges will persist - asserting our rights is essential.”

She also challenged stereotypes of transgender individuals being primarily sex workers, asserting, “Trans people work in various sectors. I urge everyone to support transgender candidates in future elections. Raising awareness through elections is crucial—contrary to misconceptions about us only doing sex work, which isn't true.”