NCFN and NCS Organize Awareness Program on LGBTQIA+:

Kathmandu, September 10-

In a surprisingly turn of events, two eldest and umbrella networks NCFN and NCS provided a combined platform to Dr. Rokaya who himself leads NCCN, another umbrella network now past its once crucial influence on national socio-political and cultural arena. And not surprising, given the fact that Nepal now is all set to become the hub of gay tourism and pink economy, which means the death of traditional family values and the new-found righteousness being evangelized with the gospel, Nepali ecclesia leaders needed to come together to comprehend and respond to the behemoth of the transgender and sodomy movement.

The “Awareness Program on LGBTQIA+” program was held at Beth-Shalom Church, Putalisadak, Kathmandu where representatives from various denominations, networks, movements, parties and media persons attended to form a shared understanding on this critical issue, dubbed by some as the most serious moral issue.

Setting the tone of the program, emcee of the program Revd. Sher AC, Genera Secretary of NCFN accentuated the reality and the seriousness of the agenda, then NIM Lalitpur Pastor Ghanashyam Dahal lead in prayer, followed by the welcome remarks by Revd. Dev Kumar Chhetri, Senior pastor of the church. Then NCFN Chair Revd. Hanok Tamang made some observations, welcoming the attendees and thanking the hosts. He remarked that though there have been quite some programmes and press release regarding same sex marriage and LGBTQIA, this is the first time the Christian community as a whole – represented by NCFN and NCS – has publicly addressed the issue. Then Revd. NCS Chair Om Prakash Subba made a brief remark on the ethical issue, reminiscing his paper on the issue back in 2010.

Though the Supreme Court two justice bench gave a directive to the government of Nepal to make provision to register same sex union as marriage the GON just ignored the directive, until last year when another single bench directive was issued to make provisional registration of same sex union as marriage. Some same sex activist then went to the Kathmandu District Court, seeking registration of their marriage but the court declined, citing the definition in the Civil Code which defines marriage as a union between an adult man and a woman. The couples then went to the High Court, which did not register the either, citing the same ground.

Dr. Rokaya’s Tripartite Speech: Three Concern; Three Issues; Three Contributions

Then Dr. Rokaya gave his keynote speech in three parts: His three major concerns: Nationalism, Righteousness, and Peace-making. He briefly touched upon how these major concerns underpinned by his Christian/biblical faith led to his efforts in broaching peace between the Maoist rebels on the one hand, and the seven parties and international community on the other. His faith then also compelled him to respond to the same sex agenda by forming interfaith movements and other platforms.

Secondly, he gave a state of the world report kind of presentation for next half hour or so, referencing to Uganda which has made same sex union illegal and punishable by death, for which the US, the EU and IMF etc have imposed sanctions on it. The issue is so crucial that after his assuming the office, US President Barak Obama made same sex union and abortion legal; President Trump after him made both illegal; and with Biden presidency both were again made legal. US embassies around the world and the White House flew both the US Flag and the pride flag on the same mast, he noted.

Russia is the only major country which has vehemently opposed the transgender agenda; banned it, made it illegal even to advocate for same sex and transgender rights. Dr. Rokaya also touched upon India where the Supreme Court ran a hearing for six month, and finally declined registering same sex union as marriage as there was legal provision, and making law belongs to the parliament proper.

Finally, Dr. Rokaya updated the situation in Nepal, where with the revolution of 2006, with the promulgation of the Interim Constitution itself trans-agenda were already embedded under such nice wordings like ‘inclusion’, ‘gender equality’ and social justice, to name a few. Though the Supreme Court two justice bench gave a directive to the government of Nepal to make provision to register same sex union as marriage the GON just ignored the directive, until last year when another single bench directive was issued to make provisional registration of same sex union as marriage. Some same sex activist then went to the Kathmandu District Court, seeking registration of their marriage but the court declined, citing the definition in the Civil Code which defines marriage as a union between an adult man and a woman. The couples then went to the High Court, which did not register the either, citing the same ground.

Interaction and Discussion Waived: What Next?

Many were expecting have an interaction, and also draw a plan of action as to how to address the issue, but were some disheartened to know there would be no interaction this time around. Now that this issue- being raised back in 2007, and lost traction after 2010 – has reemerged a couple years back with renewed interest and activism by Dr. Rokya, then Inter-faith Peace Federation (IPFN), Civic Concern Nepal, and now finally jointly by NCFN and NCS, next couple weeks and months are crucial in terms of alignment and mobilization on the ground, and fighting the legal case in the Supreme Court.

Then Catholic Father Bishop pointedly addressed the program, reaffirming Dr. Roakay’s stand on same sex union, though not without bringing the practical question of how to manage or accommodate the trans and same sex community. Then  Hindu leader Damodar Gautam briefly addressed the program, recalling how he had petitioned with the first president of Nepal, Dr. Ram Baran Yadav not to approve same sex union.  Bishop Gopal Chhetri led in the closing prayer.

“We are here to back you up; you must lead this campaign,” remarked NCFN Chair Revd. Hanok. To which Dr. Rokaya suggested the major networks, CCN, Advocates, media persons and activist must coordinate and co-own this agenda and collaborate, that again before it is too late.