News

South Asian LGBT people: between struggles for marriage or mere survival

Kathmandu/Mumbai/Peshawa, Jul 21 (EFE/EPA).- The quest for legalizing marriage between persons of the same-sex has once again put Nepal at the forefront in terms of the rights of the LGBTIQ community in South Asia, which has faced deadly attacks and stabbings in Bangladesh, while in countries like Afghanistan being a homosexual can be reason enough for being legally punished or whipped.Sunita Lama and Laxmi met at a Kathmandu bus stop 10 years ago, fell in love, and now live together.Although the two would like to get married, Nepali law does not allow it, despite it being one of the most progressive country in the region for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer people. (Camera: NARENDRA SHRESTHA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI/BILAWAL ARBAB).SHOT LIST: NEPALESE TRANSGENDER SEX WORKER SUNITA LAMA PUTS ON MAKEUP INSIDE HER ROOM BEFORE GOING OUT ON THE STREET IN KATHMANDU, NEPAL (00:01-01:37, SHOT ON 13 JULY 2020); POOJA SHARMA, A TRANSGENDER WOMAN ASKS FOR ALMS ON THE ROAD IN MUMBAI, INDIA (01:37-02:41, SHOT ON 8 JULY 2020), AND MEMBERS OF LGBT COMMUNITY IN PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN (02:41-04:17, SHOT ON 8 JULY 2020).