Gay community joins Nepal protests

By Marc Shoffman • April 19, 2006 - 0:00

King Gyanendra dismissed the Nepalese government in February 2005

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Nepalese gay groups have joined protests against the country's King Gyanendra.

Blue Diamond Society, the only gay rights organisation in Nepal, has joined the opposition to the king, after he sacked the government last year, thus plunging the South Asian country into turmoil.

Protesters, including homosexuals and transgenders, have put on black arm bands to campaign for the monarch to relinquish his power.

The group's president, Sunil Babu Panta announced they had donated Nepali Rs 10,000 ($138) to support injured protesters and were happy to join the "historic democratic movement" for ousting the "autocratic" government of Gyanendra

He also said they would attend a march on Thursday.

NGOs such as the Blue Diamond Groups have previously had restricted funding and freedom from the government.

The Blue Diamond Society addressed the International Day Against Homophobia last week to highlight the increasingly dangerous situation faced by the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community Nepal.

King Gyanendra dismissed the Nepalese government in February 2005 claiming they were not doing enough to end Maoist communist rebellions.

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