Nepal Pride returns in defiant celebration after Trump cuts foreign aid funding
– 1 min read
Nepal’s LGBTQ+ community triumphantly returned to the streets of Kathmandu for the first Nepal Pride parade since the Trump administration’s funding cuts disrupted years of progress. The event, held during the traditional Gai Jatra festival, was both a celebration and a protest - marking resilience in the face of adversity.
The parade featured a sea of rainbow flags, chants for equality, and banners affirming transgender rights and intersectional identities. It was a powerful moment for a community that had seen its support systems dismantled after the Trump-era withdrawal of USAID funding, which had previously supported HIV prevention, sexual health services, and safe spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals.
The impact of these cuts was felt globally. In the United States and beyond, Pride organisations have faced severe budget shortfalls, with corporate sponsors pulling back amid political pressure and economic uncertainty. In cities like San Francisco, New York and Washington DC, organisers reported losses of hundreds of thousands of dollars, forcing them to scale back events or seek alternative funding sources.
In Nepal, the absence of international aid left many LGBTQ+ initiatives dormant for years. But grassroots efforts and local activism have reignited the movement. “We are not discouraged,” said one organiser. “We are hopeful we will find alternative sources of funding to restart the services our community desperately needs.”
Nepal has emerged as a regional leader in LGBTQ+ rights. In 2023, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of legal same-sex marriage, and in 2024, a lesbian couple became the first to have their union officially recognised. Nepal now stands as one of the few Asian nations to legalise same-sex marriage.
Blue Diamond Society, the Nepalese LGBTQ+ rights organisation, said on social media: "Yesterday, [we] proudly hosted a vibrant gathering celebrating the strength and resilience of our LGBTQ+ community - and honouring the loving memory of our departed siblings who continue to inspire our journey.
"We came together to respect the spectrum and embrace the whole — that’s how we heal, that’s how we grow! Our heartfelt thanks to our LGBTQ+ community, allies, media friends, and partners for making this celebration a beautiful success."
