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Books, ideas and travel from a rational, gay perspective |
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this page written / last updated June 2003 All Rights Reserved Text: World Copyright Martin Foreman Copyright of pictures acknowledged where possible Having problems viewing this page? It performs best in Mozilla Firefox. 
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for a 2003 article on Nepal click here "2010 GAIJATRA: Blue Diamond Society (BDS) International PRIDE FESTIVAL" on 25th August 2010 at Kathmandu, Nepal. This is to inform you of the 9th annual "GAIJATRA INTERNATIONAL PRIDE FESTIVAL " to be held on 25th August 2010 at BASHANTA PUR DURBAR SQUARE, Kathmandu, Nepal. We make it International Pride festival. This annual festival has become one of BDS premier events and draws crowds of local as well as tourists, to join in the fun and enjoyment of the festivities. We will make it international pride event for all from this year To end discrimination; To end poverty and To promote tourism in Nepal. The festival of "Gai Jatra" is one of the oldest and most unusual of the many festivals celebrated by the Hindus/Buddhists of Kathmandu Valley. Some say the custom goes back more than a millennium, to the time of the Licchavi kings. Falling on the day after Janai Purnima, the full moon day of August, Gai Jatra is a day for remembering those who have died in the past year. In addition to praying for their departed loved ones, family and friends of the deceased commemorate them in great processions, which wind their way through the streets of the ancient Newar towns of Bhaktapur and Kathmandu. Despite its associations with the dead, the festival procession is not a dour or solemn event. In fact, there is a great deal of merry-making connected with it. Many of the participants wear outlandish costumes. Traditionally, a good number of the young Newar men in the procession dress in women's clothing. Over the centuries, the Gai Jatra Festival developed a second purpose. In the days when political expression of any kind was outlawed, Gai Jatra was the day when ordinary citizens could vent their frustrations through political and social satire, without fear of reprisal from the rulers. Given this history, Gai Jatra seemed to be a ready-made occasion for the Blue Diamond Society, the Nepalese sexual and gender minority association, to stage Nepal's inaugural Pride march. Pride activities: · Time: 14:00 Gathering at Durbar Marg, front Of former Royal Palace with colourfully decorated floats of many local LGBTs representing their districts. · 14:05PM Rally starts and proceeds through the Clock Tower (Ghanta Ghar), Kamladi, Pulisadk, Thindikhel, Tripreshore, New Road, Hanuman Dhoka, the palace square of Kathmandu, Ranipokhari and Back to Durbar Marg. The highlight of the annual festival, and this year’s theme is "end discrimination, end poverty and promote tourism". A colourful and light-hearted parade, consisting of highly decorated musical band, groups of walking performers plus costumed marchers representing various third genders, lesbians, gays, friends, family and queer-friendly groups with Musical Hangama, colourful carnival, A massive Condom Promotion and distribution, And calling to end all forms of discrimination, to end poverty and promotion of travel and tourism in Nepal. “WE HAVE A SPECIAL CANDLE LIGHT MEMORIAL IN HUNAMANDHOKA DURBAR SQUARE FOR THOSE WHO DIED BECAUSE OF VIOLENCE and AIDS LAST YEAR.” Please join Blue Diamond Society on this extravaganza event. Welcome India! Welcome China! Welcome the World! For more information please call us: 4443350 or 4445147 www.bds.org.np Pictures from GaiJatra Pride Festival 2005 at ukgaynews.org.uk 
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