Beyond the Binary: An Introduction

Beyond the Binary – An educational campaign, was launched in June, 2023 and managed by the Gehendra Dhimal Foundation (GDF) until the end of 2023 The project’s goal was to support and sensitize teachers and students regarding issues related to gender and sexuality. We developed short lesson plans informed by the government’s guidelines and after reviewing “The State of Children in Nepal”, a document produced by the National Child Rights Council. We also referred to recommendations by global organizations such as the United Nations. A core component of the project was the screening of a short Nepali film, which were preceded by a brief orientation session and followed by reflective discussions with students.

Background and Project Summary

Nepal is touted as a leader in LGBTIQ+ rights in the region due to the landmark 2007 case - cited by India’s Supreme Court when scrapping India’s colonial-era anti-gay law in 2018 - that decriminalized homosexuality; and the new constitution passed in 2015, considered to be one of the few pro-LGBTQ constitutions in the world. In addition, Nepal has provisions to identify as “other” instead of male or female on citizenship ID and passport. In 2021, Nepal added the third gender category to its census for the first time.

Yet, older generations seem stuck in the past, causing gender and sexual minorities to face numerous societal, legal and socio-emotional hurdles. A core objective of this project is to contribute to the public’s sensitization of LGBTIQ+ issues. A Foreign Policy paper published in June, 2023 quotes an activist who says that the ongoing demand for marriage equality in Nepal is also about larger issues such as securing the citizens’ safety and security, from parenthood to inheritance to insurance-related rights.

An Educational Campaign

Because educators play a crucial role in the lives of students and secondary- and college-level classrooms can be transformative experiences, our team will visit schools to conduct brief discussions and presentations. Teachers and students will be given curricular outlines and brochures to support their understanding and to challenge misconceptions. Our mission is to provide safe learning spaces for every child so that they are not subjected to teasing and bullying by their peers. Using the visual arts as a teaching pedagogy, and linking the content to carefully structured reflective discussions and writing prompts, we are also encouraging teachers to try integrated learning methods in their classrooms.

Progress Report: June/July 2023

It was a privilege to work with the GDF team as well as a set of young Queer Ambassadors. In this report prepared by Sabin Basnet, further details, including our work with the Queer Ambassadors, can be found.

A pair of Queer Ambassadors traveled to each of the seven provinces and conducted lessons in schools. The schools were located in Biratnagar, Birgunj, Chitwan, Pokhara, Butwal, Surkhet and Dhangadhi.

Nepal’s LBGTQI movement in the global context, compiled by Niranjan Kunwar, can be accessed here