Russians Refuse to Screen Nepali Gay, Transgender Documentary Film at Culture Centre in Kathmandu
February 15, 2010
Centre coordinator Arseny Starkov cancelled the screening of the documentary, with the explanation that “sexual and gender minorities issues are against Russian Law and Religion”.
This has angered Nepali activists, including Sunil Babu Pant, the founder of Blue Diamond Society and an MP in the Nepal Parliament.
He said in a statement that he had “grave concerns” over the “discriminatory behaviour from Russian Culture Centre in Nepal against sexual and gender minority communities”.
“Blue Diamond Society made this documentary with the support from European Union Funding and was preparing to show at Russian Culture Centre,” he said.
The Centre had been booked, but the screening was cancelled at the last minute.
“It is very unfortunate that the Russian Culture Centre tried to impose Russian law and religion in Nepali soil,” Mr. Pant said.
“Nepali sexual and gender minorities have condemned the Russian Culture Centre’s unfortunate decision which is against the Supreme court’s decision and against the Nepal government's policy that is inclusive of sexual and gender minorities.
“We demand Russian Culture Centre explains to the Nepal government and Nepali people whether : Nepali law or Russian law should be followed on soil,” Mr. Pant continued.
“We call on the Nepal government to issue directives to such parties like Russian Culture Centre that they must follow Nepali law on Nepali soil – and any discrimination against any Nepali citizens regardless of sexual orientation and gender identities are prohibited in Nepal.”
The groundbreaking film on Nepalese sexual and gender minorities facing work and labour related dissemination was made by Manoj Pandey, a documentary maker and trade union activist.
Main issues covered in the film are the two lesbians fired by Nepal Army in 2007, another two lesbians fired by Maoist Army in 2005 and a “third gender” person who was fired by a restaurant in Pokhara.
The Blue Diamond Society is call on trade unions to look seriously at this matter of the ban by the Russian Culture Centre and to condemn such act of discrimination against minority citizens.
In December 2007, the Nepal Supreme Court ruled that “discrimination against sexual and gender minorities is not allowed”. And the Nepal government also supports an inclusive policy with specific programmes for sexual and gender minorities.
Speaking from Moscow, Russian gay activist Nikolai Alekseev said he was “not surprised about the discriminatory action” of Russian Cultural Centre in Nepal.
“Russia is known for its official institutionalised homophobia. Such centres are usually representing official position of Russian authorities,” he pointed out.
“We fully support our fellow activists in Nepal and agree that such actions are unacceptable in a democratic society.
“In the light of this denial of premises, I can only advise Nepalese activists to go to court and challenge this homophobia of Russian Cultural Centre. We in Russia can always ask for the explanations from Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” suggested Mr. Alekseev who is chief organiser of Moscow Pride and GayRussia.ru.
Article written by UK Gay News
