“With Mitini, I found confidence and a voice”
By Samyog KC
Since 2005, Mitini Nepal has been supporting and advocating for the inclusion and rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI+) community. As a trans man, Samyog KC has found a sense of home at Mitini Nepal and has been part of their community since 2018. Originally from the Gulmi District of Nepal, Samyog has worked as a real estate agent and now a Pathao driver. Samyog spoke to us about the importance of the space, support and advocacy that Mitini provides for LGBTQI+. people
Finding community and raising our voices
Our community in Nepal continues to face significant challenges. Just yesterday, in my neighbourhood where I’ve lived for three years, I experienced verbal abuse. Throughout my life, I have always been open about my identity within my family. I have always said that I like girls and plan to marry one. However, when I disclosed this part of myself, I was subjected to derogatory words.
We face discrimination in employment and it is difficult for us to get jobs. Even when we do get an opportunity, we encounter unequal pay and harassment. Without education or employment opportunities, many problems arise.
After joining Mitini Nepal, I learned more about my sexuality and my identity as a trans man. The various meetings they organised helped me and others to progress, move forward and speak out. Before, I didn’t even know how to talk about myself, but with Mitini, I found confidence and a voice.
Our society and our communities are largely unaware of our existence. Mitini Nepal is working to change this by registering cases to seek recognition of homosexual marriages and demanding the right to equality. Thanks to Mitini’s advocacy, we are supported to raise our own voices and concerns.
Mitini Nepal is like a safe home. When society rejects us and our families turn us away, we have nowhere else to go. But, for us, Mitini Nepal is that place. We come here because they fight for our rights and this is very important for us.
Looking to a more equal future
There should be equal treatment for everyone. We need equality in employment and marriage. Despite our identities within the LGBTQI+ community, the government continues to discriminate against us. It is very important for the government to accept and recognise us. If the government issued identity cards that disclose our identity that could make things easier for us.
Samyog’s message this Pride Month
I encourage all my friends to disclose their identities and come out. Many people don’t know what Pride Month is, what it does or why is it celebrated. If we all become visible and come out, everyone, including members of our community, will learn about their sexuality, understand Pride Month and be able to celebrate it.
In our country, many LGBTQI+ friends have not been able to come out because of their families. If more of us come out and the number grows, it will hopefully improve our situation. The visibility will also help ensure that we enjoy the same rights, facilities and provisions as non-LGBTQI community in the future. That is why becoming visible and coming out is so important.
Womankind continue to partner with Mitini Nepal and currently they are one of our Strategic Grant Parnters.
