Nepal to bid for OutGames

BENJAMIN RILEY

Famous as a spectacular window onto the Himalayas, the tiny South Asian nation of Nepal is determined to become a different kind of pioneer as the first country to publicly express an interest in bidding for the next Asia Pacific OutGames.

Nepal’s first openly gay MP, Sunil Pant, told GayNZ.com during the 2nd Asia Pacific OutGames in Wellington that he will push for the country to put in a serious bid for the games, which encompass sporting, human rights and cultural festivals.
“We have the facilities and we have the will,” he said.

The capital Kathmandu will likely be the host city if Nepal’s bid is successful.

Nepal has made a number of positive moves on GLBTI rights in recent years despite being surrounded by countries with severe anti-GLBTI laws. In 2007, it became the first country in the region to decriminalise homosexuality.

British newspaper The Daily Telegraph has reported that same-sex marriage will be included in Nepal’s new constitution, which is currently being drafted and will come into effect in May this year.

Despite legislative progress, GLBTI people in Nepal still face social and cultural discrimination, although the situation is improving.