Championing inclusion for LGBTQI+ people with disabilities in Nepal.
Join us, show your colours, support and get involved!
Many people are facing cost-of-living pressures, but getting involved could be helping with networking and sharing the crowdsourcing campaign, sending words of support to Rainbow Disability Nepal via social media, and not only donations.
Background
This project has been developed in response to the findings of a survey of queer disabled people living in Kathmandu, conducted by Rainbow Disability Nepal in 2023.
RDN found that queer disabled people in Nepal struggle to establish a recognized social identity. Together with pervasive stigma, this hinders their ability to integrate into society, exacerbates marginalization and discrimination, affects mental and emotional well-being, and limits social and economic opportunities.
The combination of disability and minoritized sexual or gender identities can lead to social isolation, limited access to essential services, and heightened vulnerability to violence and abuse. The brutality of navigating a world that frequently marginalizes and misunderstands both communities results in significant mental and physical health disparities. Recognizing and affirming the experiences of queer disabled people will foster a more inclusive and equitable society, where they can live with dignity and respect. Read more about the issues here.
A media project
RDN and DDP aim to use increased media visibility to combat the social stigma faced by queer disabled people. A prominent personality and ally will conduct interviews with 20 people, providing a platform to share life experiences, hardships, triumphs, concerns, and issues. The interviews will be edited and disseminated as short videos.
Combating Social Stigma: Real-life stories will help normalize diverse identities and experiences, fostering greater visibility and understanding and helping dispel myths and stereotypes that contribute to discrimination and exclusion.
Raising Awareness: The project will highlight the unique challenges and specific needs of queer disabled people, and provide evidence to use to advocate for their rights.
Establishing Identity: Public representation helps break down the barriers of invisibility and silence, affirms people’s existence and validates their experiences, helping to build a sense of community and belonging. A strengthened network across the country can also play a practical role in disseminating information, in accessible formats.
Celebrity Influence: A well-known advocate can amplify the impact, drawing widespread attention to the issues, and humanizing those involved as people with diverse talents, dreams, and aspirations, challenging prejudice and encouraging empathy.
Advocacy for Change: Celebrities can leverage their platforms to push for policy changes, support inclusive initiatives, and raise funds for relevant causes. Their endorsement can create a more supportive and inclusive environme
