Kathmandu, June 23
Coffee at Anu Books, a bookshop in Satdobato, Lalitpur, organised a pride celebration called Mindfulness of the LGBTQIA+ community on Thursday.
The event, led by the community of practice group “Peace Bhumi,” showcased inspiring stories from queer youth and aimed to foster awareness, highlighting the experiences and struggles faced by individuals. It was aimed to sensitise participants about the LGBTQIA+ community while creating media content.
Educators, development workers, volunteer organisations, youth groups, and members of the queer society engaged in lively discussions, celebrating acceptance and friendship.
During the event, Isha, a 22-year-old bisexual, expressed appreciation for her supportive friends while awaiting the right moment to reveal her sexuality to her family.
Rubina Tamang, a transgender woman from Blue Diamond Society, shared her touching journey, highlighting the discrimination she faced from both society and medical professionals. Her story of resilience and determination moved the audience.
The event, hosted by Coffee at Anu Books, encapsulated many sustainable development goals as well including issues of gender equality, reducing inequalities, and promoting peace and justice.
It underscored the power of bookshops as platforms for community-building and cultural understanding.
