Tom Van Cakenberghe

Transgender Nepal

Pokhara, Kaski, Nepal
November 30, 2008

A contestant of an annual beauty pageant for transgender Nepali on her way to the stage.

In Nepal sexual behavior other than heterosexual is hardly accepted and discrimination against sexual minorities is common.

Since 2001 the Blue Diamond Society, a Nepalese NGO, tries to protect the rights of gay men, bisexuals, lesbians and male sex workers.

In order to create awareness the Blue Diamond Society organizes an annual beauty pageant that is widely covered by national and regional media.