Rukshana Kapali is a firebrand. At 21 she is leading efforts to change Nepal’s laws so they include transgender men and women, and spearheading work to develop terminology in Nepali, and Nepal bhasa (or Newa language), that is inclusive of people who identify anywhere along the gender spectrum. She has led campaigns to protect lands of Kathmandu Valley’s Indigenous Newa people and has joined heritage activists to ensure that an ancient, sacred pond in the centre of Nepal’s capital Kathmandu was rebuilt following traditional designs.
Less than 10 years ago Rukshana was a bullied, confused student furtively surfing the Net in cyber cafes trying to understand why she knew she was a girl but living in a boy’s body. “I spent a lot of money on Facebook back then,” she says.
Today, Rukshana leads the community of young Queer activists in Nepal fighting to get their rights recognized in law and also calling for recognition from the established LGBTQI community. Unsurprisingly, she is also embarking on a law career.
On today’s episode we’ll hear more from Rukshana about the very eventful and influential journey that she is taking.
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Nepal Now is produced and hosted by Marty Logan.
