KATMANDU, Nepal -- An official
says Nepal's government will begin issuing citizenship certificates with the
category "third gender" for people who do not wish to be identified
as male or female.
Activists hailed the decision, saying it was an achievement for
gay and transgender rights.
Home Ministry Bhola Siwakot says an order to issue the
certificates was sent to all district administration offices.
Nepal's Supreme Court ruled in 2007 that the government should
issue "third gender" citizenship certificates but it took five years
to implement the decision.
Sunilbabu Pant of the Blue Diamond Society says the simple and
clear guidelines for issuing the certificates should make life easier for
sexual minorities.
Activists say "third gender" minorities have had difficulty
getting jobs or passports, enrolling in schools or owning property without
proper citizenship certificates.
Source-huffingtonpost.com
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