LGBTQ+ community marks Gai Jatra as Pride Day in Kathmandu

In Kathmandu Valley and other Newar community areas, the Gaijatra festival was celebrated in a unique way by members of the sexual and gender minority community (LGBTQ+).

Transgender, homosexual, and intersex individuals marked the festival as “Pride Day,” celebrating their identity and calling for equal rights.

This year, the community organized two separate rallies. The group Maya Ko Pahichan held their rally from the Employees’ Provident Fund building in Thamel, while the Blue Diamond Society started theirs from Narayanchour, Naxal.

The Blue Diamond Society has been celebrating Gaijatra as Pride Day for the past 22 years. For Maya Ko Pahichan, it was the first time organizing such a rally. Participants carried banners and chanted slogans demanding recognition and protection of their rights.

Both rallies ended at Basantapur, where a musical program was also held.