This may be a first in the world: a third gender is included in Nepal’s latest census forms. Nepal’s Central Bureau of Statistics is giving official recognition to gay and transgender people by including a third gender in their census forms.

The CNN report below:

Kathmandu, Nepal (CNN) — When census gatherers went door-to-door visiting 5.6 million households across Nepal this month, they collected information not only on the country’s men and women, but also on a so-called third gender.

In what is believed to be a world first, Nepal’s Central Bureau of Statistics is giving official recognition to gay and transgender people — a move seen as major victory for equality in a country that only decriminalized homosexual relationships three years ago.

Among those happy to stand up and be counted in the third gender category is Dilu Buduja, 35. “I was born as a girl, but as I grew up I felt I was a boy. Today I totally feel like a man,” he said.

A spokesman for the statistics bureau, Bikash Bista, said the new categorization was an attempt to open up the traditionally conservative country up to different points of view.

But the state’s recognition of the rights of gender minorities, gays and lesbians has not come without a fight.

“We had to put in a lot of pressure to have the third gender counted in the census,” said gender minority rights activist Sunil Babu Pant.

“It was only after we said that we would go to court that the officials agreed to include the third gender as a category.”

If the case had gone to court, it would likely have been upheld thanks to a landmark 2007 Supreme Court ruling that directed the state to end discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and decriminalize “unnatural sex.”

It also decreed the issue of citizenship certificates that clearly indicate an individual’s choice of gender identity.

Citizenship certificates, which work as national identity papers, are needed in Nepal to open a bank account, own property, secure a job and get a passport among other things.

“The court also directed the government to form a committee to study what kind of laws can be made for same-sex marriage or civil union,” said Hari Phuyal, a human rights lawyer who made the lead argument in the case.

“Nepal’s 2007 ruling was an inspiration to even India and the ruling document was studied by the Delhi High Court [of India ] when it decriminalized sodomy last year,” he said.

Pant, Nepal’s first openly gay lawmaker, described the ruling as “very satisfying,” but said its implementation was an “extremely slow and painful process.”

His claim is underscored by the fact that Nepal ‘s Ministry of Home Affairs is yet to direct the country’s 75 administrative districts to issue citizenship certificates that indicate gender identity.

“Local authorities did not know about third gender and they were afraid that they would lose their jobs if they gave such a citizenship,” said Buduja, who last month became only the second person in the country to obtain a citizenship certificate indicating gender.

Pradeep Khadka, of sexual and gender minority rights advocacy group Blue Diamond Society — founded by Pant nearly a decade ago — say delays in fully enforcing the 2007 ruling represent a struggle between conservative and liberal elements in Nepalese society.

Though discrimination persists, there is progress. The government is also finalizing a list of discriminatory laws that need to be changed so that gender minorities can enjoy the same rights as others, including inheritance rights.

Two years ago it also formed a committee to make recommendations on legislation governing same-sex marriage or civil union. It is in the final stages of the completing the report.

“We visited several districts in the country and Norway to look at its experience and use it as a case study,” said sociologist Chaitanya Mishra, a member of the recommendation committee.

According to another member of the committee, it will recommend that the government legalize same-sex marriage, which would be a first in South Asia.

“There are 50 to 60 couples waiting to get married on the day same-sex marriage is legalized,” said Buduja, who is among those hoping to tie the knot.

But activists say, reluctance among officials to issue the sexuality-specific citizenship certificates means that day may be far away. And without the certificates, many may be reluctant to disclose sexuality to census gatherers.

“But this is an encouraging step forward,” Pant said.

 

This is a good thing – for Nepal. And maybe for the rest of Asia. Let’s just hope our legislators take a cue from this and start acting on the Anti-Discrimination Bill. Instead of wasting time grandstanding, I mean interpellating on the RH Bill, why not cut down on the number of grandstanders interpellators and use that time on discussing the RH Bill? (If you want to help push for the passage of the Anti-Discrimination Bill, details can be found here).

©2012 Bakla Ako, May Reklamo?. All Rights Reserved.

Yesterday, May 17, was the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO).  The whole world celebrated IDAHO and here are some of the messages from key supporters of the LGBT cause:

From U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton:

In every part of the world, men and women are persecuted and attacked because of who they are or whom they love. Homophobia, transphobia and the brutal hostility associated with them are often rooted in a lack of understanding of what it actually means to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT). So to combat this terrible scourge and break the cycle of fear and violence, we must work together to improve education and support those who stand up against laws that criminalize love and promote hate. As we mark the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia this May 17, let us resolve to redouble our efforts.

On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am proud to reaffirm our support for LGBT communities at home and abroad, and to call for an end to discrimination and mistreatment of LGBT persons wherever it occurs. Whether by supporting LGBT advocates marching in Belgrade, leading the effort at the United Nations to affirm the human rights of LGBT persons, or condemning a vile law under consideration in Uganda, we are committed to our friends and allies in every region of the world who are fighting for equality and justice. These are not Western concepts; these are universal human rights.

Despite these gains and hard work, there is more to do to turn the tide of inequality and discrimination against the LGBT community. If you are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, know that the United States stands with you and we are unwavering in our commitment to ending this cycle of hate.

And here’s a message from Lady Gaga:

“That Humanity could find Togertherness. We are all different and it is that which makes us the same”

Be yourself, love who you are and be proud. You were born this way, baby.”

In the Philippines, Outrage Magazine announced that the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia will see the launch of the “ALL EQUAL” campaign, with posters to be distributed to LGBT sites (online and off) in the Philippines. This comes in time when an anti-discrimination bill is being introduced in the House of Congress of the Philippines.

So what does this mean to every gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender in the Philippines? It means that we should not stop fighting for our rights (and support the passage of the Anti-Discrimination Bill). It means that we should extend that “day” and turn into everyday!

If you have been watching the debates in the House of Representative on the Reproductive Health Bill (RH Bill), you would notice that some of our Congressmen are clearly devoid of LOGIC! These Congressmen, I assume, will be the same ones who will volunteer to interpellate the sponsor of the Anti-Discrimination Bill when its time comes (hopefully soon). Let’s just hope and pray that these supposed representatives of the people develop some sense of logic within them and not let their religious beliefs and their close-mindedness take over. Let’s hope they listen.  (Details of how you can support the Anti-Discrimination Bill here)

©2012 Bakla Ako, May Reklamo?. All Rights Reserved.