More than 1,000 people turn up for Nepal's gay pride walk

Katmandu: About 1,000 gays, lesbians, transgender people and their supporters have marched through Nepal’s capital to celebrate and demand rights for their community, in what has become an annual festival.

Many of those who marched through the streets of Katmandu on Thursday were dressed in colorful clothes and held banners.

It was the fourth year the rally was held. Organizers said it was an opportunity for sexual minorities to come out in the open and to educate the public.

Nepal is considered a conservative nation. Most of its people are Hindu, and many still follow traditional beliefs. It was only after the fall of the monarchy and the election of a Constituent Assembly in 2008 that sexual minorities began to demand rights.

AP