Parsu Ram Rai: building a queer community that’s “as strong as diamonds”
How was the Blue Diamond Society (BDS) founded?
In 2001, a student that was studying in Ukraine came to Nepal and started to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and safe sex in the LGBTQIA community. People started to get interested in the work, myself included, and decided to attend a HIV/AIDS education facilitator program organized by the Peace Corps. BDS was founded shortly after that session to continue the work of educating Nepalese society on sexual health and has expanded its mission to advocate for the rights of gender and sexual minorities.
Since then BDS has conducted education programs on HIV/AIDS prevention and about the LGBTQIA community for over 90,000 Nepalese people. Some notable achievements include the 2007 Supreme Court ruling that guaranteed equal rights regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, inclusion of gender equality clauses in the 2015 Nepalese constitution, and partnering with the UN to work towards achieving the sustainable development goals of gender equality and reduced inequalities.
What’s the meaning behind “Blue Diamond Society”?
Like the LGBTQIA community diamonds are strong because of the bonds that hold individual carbon molecules together. Diamonds are also beautiful and clear, highlighting the beauty, humanity, and good hearts of the LGBTQIA community.
You’ve been involved with BDS since its founding, what are some of the changes that you’ve seen?
Definitely the scale of the organization and its impact. We have 35 offices across Nepal, with a central office in Kathmandu. At an international level, we’ve received more support from different organizations. But I think there’s still room to increase the international visibility of our efforts.
What are some of the most challenging aspects of your work?
Getting funding for non HIV/AIDS related initiatives, educating our stakeholders, and working with the new Nepali constitution as well as state authorities.There are seven provincial governments in Nepal, so even though there are provisions for gender and ethnic minorities in the new constitution. We’re waiting to see how each [province] might interpret or enforce the new constitution differently.
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Parsu is the Senior Program Manager at the Blue Diamond Society (BDS) in Kathmandu, Nepal.
