Nepal to issue ‘third gender’ IDs

[tugon (imported)]

http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2013/01/nepa ... or-female/

Nepal to issue ‘third gender’ IDs for those not identifying as male or female

KATMANDU, Nepal — An official says Nepal’s government will begin issuing citizenship certificates with the category “third gender” for people who do not wish to be identified as male or female.

Activists hailed the decision, saying it was an achievement for gay and transgender rights.

Home Ministry Bhola Siwakot says an order to issue the certificates was sent to all district administration offices.

Nepal’s Supreme Court ruled in 2007 that the government should issue “third gender” citizenship certificates but it took five years to implement the decision.

Sunilbabu Pant of the Blue Diamond Society says the simple and clear guidelines for issuing the certificates should make life easier for sexual minorities.

Activists say “third gender” minorities have had difficulty getting jobs or passports, enrolling in schools or owning property without proper citizenship certificates.

[JesusA (imported)]

Here's a link to a very nice 5 minute Youtube about the decision, including interviews with some of the participants:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzUFfis6Uak

[foxytaur (imported)]

Oh wow jesus!!!

Thanks for link!!!!!

[JesusA (imported)]

Pakistan -- not exactly a bastion of liberal progressiveness -- did the same thing in 2009, including an explicit statement that inheritance would be enforced for hijras/etc. who previously hadn't been able to appear in court without presenting as their birth gender. India did a similar but weaker thing in 2009 as well.

There’s an interesting video and brief article on the subject at:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-13186958