Nepal hails “historic milestone” as Bhumika Shrestha becomes country’s first trans lawmaker

Nepal is celebrating a “historic milestone” after prominent activist Bhumika Shrestha joined the national parliament, becoming the country’s first trans lawmaker.

Shrestha, 37, has been appointed to the 275‑member House of Representatives through the proportional representation system, representing the centrist Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). She has long been a leading voice for LGBTQ+ rights in the country, working closely with the Blue Diamond Society (BDS), Nepal’s foremost organisation supporting sexual and gender minorities. 

Speaking after her appointment, Shrestha said she felt both excitement and a deep sense of responsibility. “Our constitution has provisions for our community, but they have not been translated into laws and policies. Our community expects me to raise our issues in parliament,” she noted. 

Supporters gathered at the BDS office in Kathmandu to celebrate the occasion, presenting her with flowers, scarves and symbolic gifts - including a pen representing the legislative power she will now wield. BDS president Umisha Pandey praised the moment as “historic”, reflecting a long-awaited step towards genuine political inclusion for gender minorities. 

Nepal is regarded as having some of South Asia’s most progressive LGBTQ+ legal frameworks. The country outlawed discrimination based on gender or sexual orientation in 2007, introduced a third‑gender category for official documents in 2013, and added an “others” category to passports in 2015.

The Supreme Court’s interim order in 2023 opened the door for same-sex and trans couples to register their marriages. Despite these advances, LGBTQ+ representation in public office has been rare; before Shrestha, the last openly queer lawmaker served in 2008 under the proportional representation system. 

More than 900,000 people in Nepal identify as sexual minorities, according to BDS, making Shrestha’s appointment particularly significant for a community that has long pushed for visibility, legislative reform and practical enforcement of constitutional protections. 

Her entry into parliament marks a new chapter for Nepal’s LGBTQ+ movement - one that activists hope will finally turn years of advocacy into concrete policy change.