Two transgender women make history in Nepal
November 22 was a milestone for Nepal’s LGBTQ community. Two transgender candidates, Honey Maharjan and Mouni Maharjan, members of the People’s Socialist Party-Nepal, ran in local elections.
It marked the first time that trans people ran for office in the country. Honey Maharjan ran for mayor in Kirtipur, a municipality outside Kathmandu, the Nepalese capital.
Mouni Maharjan ran to become a ward chair in the same municipality. Although both candidates lost the election; experts, and activists consider their participation a significant milestone for LGBTQ representation in Nepalese politics.
Honey Maharjan, 44, is a former tour guide who faced discrimination because she is a trans woman. Maharjan nevertheless became a vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights.
