Two trans women have made history in Nepal for running in local elections. Despite neither one winning her race, the LGBTQ+ community is still celebrating the moment as a leap for representation since no out trans woman has run for office in the country before.

Honey Maharjan and Mouni Maharjan are both members of the People’s Socialist Party-Nepal. The former candidate ran for mayor of Kirtipur, a town outside of Kathmandu, and the latter for ward chair in the same locale.

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“I am proud to serve my community and create a future where every student can thrive, no matter who they are,” said Simpson.

“I hope my candidacy will inspire others in the queer community to participate openly in future elections,” Honey Maharjan told Agence France-Presse (AFP) in November, adding that she wants to show the public the intrinsic value of their trans neighbors.

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“When I remember my past, it’s like a nightmare because I faced a lot of discrimination and abuses – like other transgender people. I want to change this,” she said. “We are also part of this society and can contribute to the betterment of society. This is what I want to do if I am elected.”

Mouni Maharjan ran on a platform of improving infrastructure and sanitation, as well as implementing more LGBTQ+-inclusive curriculums in schools “so that the new generation will easily accept our presence and be treated better,” she said.

Honey Maharjan wanted to fight for improved health care, education, and roads. “I did not win, so I am a little sad this time,” she told the Washington Blade. “But I am happy that the media has covered my campaign, so I am grateful to all journalists.”

Mouni Maharjan also spoke about the challenges the two candidates endured in that they did not have the budget or support held by the more major political parties.

But the visibility they gained from the race, itself, still matters.

“Elections are important because it creates awareness about the candidate,” said Honey Maharjan. “Otherwise everyone would think that transgender community is engaged in sex work only [and] that is not true.”

Nepal is known as a leader in South Asia when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights, supporting them in its 2015 constitution, offering third gender ID cards since 2013, and openly supporting Pride parades. 

In 2017, United Nations officials and local dignitaries joined Nepal’s LGBTQ community in celebrating International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia by raising the rainbow banner for the first time in the nation’s history.

In February of this year, Anju Devi Shrestha and Suprita Gurung became the first lesbian couple to register their marriage with the authorities.

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