Kathmandu, July 2: On June 28, 1969, an incident took place in a gay bar, ‘Stonewall Inn’ in New York City, the United States of America, prompting the police to raid the bar, and inviting a clash between gay men and the police.
The police took about 200 people to the streets and beat them, infuriating the gay community and prompting a clash. The incident made headlines and week-long demonstrations were staged subsequently. Rights groups then joined the demonstrations, and a month later, the sexual and gender communities held their first openly gay march in New York, demanding equality.
Then campaigns for the rights of sexual and gender minorities began and June was celebrated as Pride Month. Gradually, the celebration went beyond the USA and the Europe, marking its strong presence in other countries across the globe.
Countries observe Pride Month at different dates partly based on weather conditions. In the Europe and the United States of America, flower blooms, and the temperature is moderate in general. So, countries there celebrate June as Pride Month. SGM people from Australia carry out the celebration in February while SGM members of India marks the celebration in November.
For the past few years, the SGM community of Nepal has been supporting June as the month of seven colors. But, actually, October is marked as Pride Month in Nepal.
Mayako Pahichan Nepal (MKPN), a non-governmental organisation advocating for SGM rights, has taken initiatives to observe October as Pride Month in Nepal. The celebration is observed from the last day of Dashain festival to Tihar festival, said MKPN.
