Nepal Celebrates Historic Pride Parade Amid Foreign Aid Cuts

Nepal marked a significant milestone with its first Pride parade since the reduction of foreign aid funding by the administration of former President Donald Trump. On August 10, 2025, hundreds of LGBTQ+ individuals and supporters gathered in the capital, Kathmandu, to celebrate and advocate for queer rights during the annual Gai Jatra festival. This event, traditionally held to honor deceased relatives, provided a vibrant backdrop for the community to express solidarity and demand recognition.

Participants waved a variety of flags, including those representing Pride, Trans Pride, Lesbian Pride, and Asexual Pride. Signs carried messages such as “Pride for all intersectional queer identities” and “Transgender men are men; Transgender women are women.” A large Progress Pride flag was prominently displayed, symbolizing inclusivity within the LGBTQ+ movement.

The Pride parade comes at a time when the LGBTQ+ community in Nepal faces significant challenges due to the cuts in foreign aid. According to reports, over 80 percent of USAID programs were cancelled as of March 2025, significantly impacting support services for the community. Many help centers that previously offered vital resources have remained shuttered, leaving thousands without necessary support.

Prior to the cuts, USAID partnered with local organizations to provide essential services such as HIV prevention, safe sex counselling, and health screenings. These services were critical for the ongoing wellbeing of many in the LGBTQ+ community. The closure of USAID’s office in Nepal has created a void in support systems that were once deemed “vital” for daily operations.

In recent years, Nepal has made strides toward equality. In 2023, the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriages could be legally registered. This was a landmark decision, as it allowed a lesbian couple to become the first same-sex pair to have their marriage recognized in the country. Nepal now stands as the second Asian nation to legalize same-sex marriage, following Taiwan, which passed similar legislation in 2019. Earlier this year, Thailand also recognized marriage equality, becoming the third country in Asia to do so.

The gathering at the Nepal Pride parade reflects both resilience and determination within the LGBTQ+ community in the face of adversity. As participants rallied for “Pride for all intersectional queer identities,” they sent a powerful message of unity and hope for a more inclusive future.

With the ongoing fight for rights and recognition, the event served not only as a celebration but also as a poignant reminder of the challenges still faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Nepal and beyond. As the community continues to advocate for equality, the support and visibility shown during this Pride event highlight both progress and the work that remains.