LGBTQ+ community in Nepal faces crisis as support centers close

In recent months, Nepal's LGBTQ+ community has faced alarming setbacks due to funding cuts that have led to the closure of numerous support centers. These closures stemmed from the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) under the Trump administration, which had historically provided essential resources for humanitarian aid and LGBTQ+ advocacy in Nepal. The Parichaya Samaj center, among many others, has been forced to lock its gates and cease operations, leaving the community without access to vital support services. The impact of these closures is profound. As a nation that has made significant advances in LGBTQ+ rights, including becoming one of the first in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, the loss of funding threatens to reverse these hard-won gains. Many individuals who previously relied on these centers for counseling, health services, and safe-sex education now find themselves without resources. The closure of support centers has raised concerns that more individuals may go back into hiding and may even contribute to a rise in HIV infections. Individuals within the LGBTQ+ community have been vocal about their growing fears. Babu Dumi Rai, a former worker at one of the now-closed help centers, noted the urgent need for services as many people were unaware of their health needs or how to safely engage in sexual activity. The estimated number of people living with HIV within the LGBTQ+ community in Nepal ranges between 15,000 to 20,000, and without accessible support services, their risk for complications and infections is dramatically increasing. Transgender sex workers, who are often marginalized and face daily harassment, are among those particularly affected. Simple Lama, a transgender sex worker, has shared the difficulties of accessing medical services now that support centers have disappeared. While these support centers provided not only essential medical help but also a sense of safety and community, the growing population of sex workers, as some individuals from the closed centers seek new means of survival, highlights the ongoing struggles of the LGBTQ+ community in Nepal. Amidst these daunting challenges, the situation poses serious questions about the future of LGBTQ+ rights and health in Nepal.