Nepal Celebrates Historic Pride Parade Amid Foreign Aid Cuts

Nepal has celebrated its first Pride event since former President Donald Trump implemented significant cuts to foreign aid, impacting vital support for the LGBTQ+ community. On August 10, 2025, hundreds of LGBTQ+ individuals and allies gathered in Kathmandu for the Nepal Pride parade, part of the annual Gai Jatra festival, which commemorates deceased relatives.

The vibrant parade featured participants waving flags representing various identities, including Pride, Trans Pride, Lesbian Pride, and Asexual Pride. Signs displayed messages such as “Pride for all intersectional queer identities” and affirmations of transgender identities. A large Progress Pride flag was prominently carried, symbolizing the community’s resilience and unity.

The cuts to foreign aid, particularly from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), have had a profound impact on Nepal’s LGBTQ+ community. As of March 2025, over 80 percent of USAID programs in the country were cancelled, significantly reducing available resources. According to the Independent, many support centres that previously assisted LGBTQ+ individuals have remained closed, leaving thousands without crucial services.

Historically, USAID partnered with local organizations to provide HIV prevention, care, and safe sex counselling. The funds were described as “vital” for daily operations at these centres, which offered free condoms, sexual health screenings, and follow-up treatments for those living with HIV. Currently, the USAID office in Nepal is closed, further complicating the situation for LGBTQ+ individuals seeking support.

Nepal’s LGBTQ+ community has faced challenges, but recent legal advancements offer a glimmer of hope. In 2023, the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage could be legally registered, marking a significant milestone in the fight for equality. Following this ruling, a lesbian couple made history by being the first same-sex pair to have their marriage officially recognized in Nepal.

This progress positions Nepal as the second country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, following Taiwan’s legislation in 2019. Thailand further expanded marriage equality in 2025, becoming the third Asian nation to recognize such rights, specifically in Southeast Asia.

As the Pride parade concluded, the message was clear: the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in Nepal continues, even in the face of adversity. Participants expressed solidarity and determination, emphasizing the need for ongoing advocacy and support for all marginalized identities.

The vibrant display of pride and unity at the Nepal Pride parade 2025 serves as a reminder of the resilience of the LGBTQ+ community in the country, showcasing both the challenges faced and the hope for a more inclusive future.