The Gehendra Dhimal Foundation was a natural partner to implement the ‘Beyond the Binary’ educational campaign for a number of reasons. I had come to know about an ambitious project conceptualized by the Foundation, Pride’s Pride, which sought to present positive images of influential personalities from the LGBTIQ+ community. This intention is based on a few key objectives of the Foundation: inclusion, capacity building, platforming, and in line with the history of its long-running partner organization, Location Nepal, revitalizing the performing arts.
Empowering Queer Ambassadors Across Nepal
A key aspect of the ‘Beyond the Binary’ project was the screening of a film, Blue Flower (which features a closeted gay Nepali man trapped in a forced marriage), for young adults, and using that screening to sensitize them regarding the challenges faced by gender and sexual minorities. As we developed the project with the Foundation, we decided to take the program to all seven provinces. I could count on the Foundation’s excellent track record in film production and rely on them to coordinate with theater owners as well as school administrations across the country.
We compiled conceptual notes, lesson plans, and crucial ideas in a manual meant for educators. We also developed handouts for students containing keywords and visual explainers. In July 2023, we conducted a 5-day training session for Queer Ambassadors and a 3-day training session for journalists so that they could also learn and disseminate these ideas in tandem.
Participants in both groups were chosen via an open call. We received almost 70 applications for the Queer Ambassador program. We wanted to bring dynamic individuals who wanted to advocate for the LGBTIQ+ community and become allies. These Ambassadors would in turn visit schools and colleges and conduct informative sessions for students.
Breaking Bias Through Education
Due to massive misconceptions and skewed notions regarding the lives of LGBTIQ+ people, it is important to orient students before viewing the film. Similarly, it’s also suggested that if viewers are provided some space to reflect and jot down their yearnings, confusions, and questions and then have them share in a group discussion format, the process might help them get over personal biases and transcend them towards a fresher understanding.
These ideas were compiled in a three-step unit of study, providing room for the Ambassadors to adapt them if they chose. Thus, the ‘Beyond the Binary’ educational campaign has several interconnected ideas, which aligns very well with the Foundation’s core mission.
Youngsters come to Kathmandu from various parts of the country to participate in the training. For example, Chetana KC is from Banke; she visited Birgunj for the first time to conduct these lessons. Her journey illustrates her exposure to Nepal’s multicultural realities and the need to build solidarity across groups by focusing on the values of diversity and tolerance; all the while, holding social justice and inclusion as a guiding principle.
Highlights of the Campaign
- Students were provided with a Beyond The Binary booklet containing information regarding SOGISEC (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Sex Characteristics, and Expression).
- Queer Ambassadors Sandeep and Chetana conducted classes in Birgunj.
- Presence of dignitaries like Dr. Thomas Prinz (Ambassador of Germany in Nepal), Gautam Dhimal (Chairperson, GD Foundation), Niranjan Kunwar (Project Lead, BTB), and Sabin Basnet (Secretary, GD Foundation).
- Successful student film screenings in Biratnagar.
- Niranjan Kunwar led learning sessions for Queer Ambassadors.
