I just saw this on a news alert list, and it made my morning. We work hard all week to try and uplift the idea that everyone should have access to human rights. And usually it’s exhausting work, but then sometimes there’s a little glimmer.
Today, the glimmer comes from Nepal which is undergoing a constitutional reform process as the country transitions from a monarchy to a full democracy. In May of 2010, the various political parties failed to reach a deal in creating the new constitution. More delays have ensued and the current deadline is November 2011.
Here’s the beautiful part:
The current draft constitution proposes, “citizenship rights for third gender individuals… bans discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity; calls for government affirmative action in support of LGBT people; and proposes gender-neutral language on the rights to work, health, education, and marriage.”
In Nepal, LGBTIQ folks face widespread discrimination. And the process will certainly not be without its problems and roadblocks. But on this Friday, can we just appreciate the potential impact of a constitutional provision that names this discrimination and offers a legal foothold with which to fight it? I think we can.