Nepal's leading LGBTQ+ rights organisation has marked this year's Pride event with a solemn act of remembrance, choosing to suspend festivities and instead stand in solidarity with victims of devastating floods that have affected communities across the country.
Blue Diamond Society (BDS), Nepal's oldest and largest LGBTQ+ rights organisation, announced that its 24th annual Pride and Gai Jatra celebration would take a different form this year, focusing on mourning, remembrance and support for those impacted by the disaster.
Rather than holding its traditional Pride events, members of the LGBTQ+ community gathered for a candle-lighting ceremony to honour those who have died in the floods, including both Nepali citizens and foreign tourists. The event also remembered members of Nepal's gender and sexual minority communities who had passed away over the past year.
Participants offered prayers for those who lost their lives, wished for the recovery of those injured, called for the safe rescue of people still missing, and expressed solidarity with bereaved families.
Speaking at the gathering, LGBTQ+ rights activist and lawmaker Bhumika Shrestha thanked members of the SOGIESC (sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics) community for standing alongside the wider nation during a difficult period.
Blue Diamond Society president Umisha Pandey also addressed attendees, reaffirming the organisation's commitment to supporting the country through the crisis. "We stand with our nation in this difficult hour," Pandey said.
The organisation said its decision reflected a belief that Pride is not only about celebration, but also about community, compassion and solidarity in times of hardship.
As part of its response, Blue Diamond Society announced a donation of NPR 100,000 (£550) to Nepal's Prime Minister's Relief Fund to support recovery efforts.
In a statement, the organisation said: "Our Pride is also our solidarity. We remember. We stand together. We care."
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