‘Nepal has strong laws for LGBTQI+ groups but there’s gap in implementation’

US special envoy to advance human rights of LGBTQI+ community opens up about her Nepal visit and key takeaways.

Jessica Stern , the United States special envoy to advance the human rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex (LGBTQI+) persons, is in Nepal to take stock of the situation of the sexual minorities in the country. During her visit, she met with government officials, human rights activists and members of the LGBTQI+ community and discussed the efforts being made towards protecting and strengthening the human rights of the community. Prior to joining the State Department, Stern led OutRight Action International, a leading global LGBTQI+ human rights organisation, as its executive director for 10 years. Before she wrapped up her five-day stay in Nepal, the Post’s Binod Ghimire spoke with Stern to learn about her reading of the status of the community and what message she is taking home from here.