KATHMANDU: The 10th ILGA Asia Conference-2025, which is concluding today in Kathmandu, has brought together over 600 attendees from 150 countries to address pressing social and humanitarian issues affecting the LGBTIQ+ community.
However, the event has faced criticism from a section of Nepal’s LGBTIQ+ advocates, including Sunil Babu Pant, the founder of Blue Diamond Society (BDS), who has raised concerns over the timing and priorities of the conference.
Pant, who made history as Nepal’s first openly gay parliamentarian in the first Constituent Assembly (2008-12), disowned the gathering, stating that the conference was too extravagant given the current challenges facing sexual and gender minorities worldwide, including in Nepal.
Pant pointed out that the LGBTIQ+ community is at risk of losing essential services due to sudden funding cuts from the United States.
In an interview with RSS, Pant argued that instead of hosting a large-scale event, resources could be better allocated to smaller, community-based organizations to ensure their long-term sustainability. He emphasized that while international conferences are important for visibility and networking, they should not overshadow the immediate, pressing needs of vulnerable communities.
“While international gatherings play a role in visibility and networking, it’s crucial to balance these benefits against the immediate, tangible needs of vulnerable communities. A deeper discussion is needed on how to ensure that conferences, and funding in general, are structured to serve the broader LGBTQ+ movement in the most equitable and impactful way,” Pant said, also expressing his dissatisfaction on social media.
The event, which is described as the largest-ever LGBTIQ+ gathering hosted in Nepal, was organized by the regional body of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) and coordinated by BDS.
Manisha Dhakal, the Executive Director of BDS, highlighted the conference as an opportunity for Nepal to lead important discussions on policies across Asia.
In his address at the opening session on February 26, Minister for Women, Children, and Senior Citizens, Nawal Kishor Sah Sudi, reiterated the government’s commitment to improving the rights of sexual and gender minorities.
“Every person shall have the right to speak up for their own identity, sexual orientation, be free from discrimination and violence, and achieve equality,” he said.
The conference, which has been running from February 24-28, is themed “Diversity Dynamics: Unifying for a Just, Inclusive, and Sustainable Asia.”
Despite Pant’s criticisms, the event continues to serve as a significant platform for dialogue and advocacy for LGBTIQ+ rights in the region.
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