Sexual and gender minorities of Nepal have been forced to advocate once again for their right to citizenship. Going against the directive of the Supreme Court, the home ministry has stopped administration offices in all 75 districts from giving citizenships to sexual minorities. It argues that such a process would require wide changes in the existing laws. Five people, however, have already received citizenship with the identity of third gender after the Supreme Court's ruling.

Every individual has the right to citizenship and the sexual and gender minorities should be no exception. The Blue Diamond Society, which works for the right of these people, reports that about 400,000 transgender individuals are in touch with them. Being a transgender or a homosexual is not a fault. It is not a disease either.

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal has asked for a few days' time to hold legal consultations in the matter after meeting with CA member Sunil Babu Pant. The third gender community has been waiting for the prime minister's answer and has also been preparing for an agitation. The government should immediately make provisions to give citizenship to the transgender and other sexual minorities either by issuing a circular or by amending the law if necessary.

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