Kathmandu, Sep 18 (IANS) - A 21-year-old lesbian has become the first person in Nepal to be officially recognised as a third gender person under the Maoist-led new government, a move being hailed as a landmark for sexual minorities in a country still dominated by a strong feudal society.

Bishnu Adhikari, who was forced to leave her home in Pokhara town by outraged relatives and neighbours, Wednesday became the first person in Nepal to be given an official identity card that described her sex as ‘third gender’ instead of the usual male and female categories.

She was issued an official ID that gave her gender as ‘Third’.

Naulo Bihani (New Dawn), a Nepali NGO that works for the rights of gays and lesbians in Kaski district in central Nepal, said Adhikari had applied for citizenship at the Kaski district administration office asking for an ID that would identify her as third gender.
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I'm all for gay rights. In fact, I see no reason to treat homosexuality different in any way, shape or form, than heterosexuality. Perhaps that's why I think this "third gender" bit is ridiculous and, potentially, counter-productive. There is no "third gender", unless you make a stretch for hermaphoditism, which, still, would qualify as "both" rather than "other". Homosexuals are still one or the other, as sexual preference does not determine gender - plumming does.

Yay for Nepal trying to be progressive and all, but how 'bout progress in a way that makes sense? I think this "other" designation will further exclude gays and lesbians, ultimately.