Nepal, Feb. 26 -- Manisha Dhakal, whose journey of exploring and accepting herself began as volunteering in hiding at Blue Diamond Society (BDS), says, "When I see pride and admiration in the eyes of fearless young LGBTQIA+ volunteers joining the BDS, I remember my journey, which was the opposite,"

She was secretive about her involvement with BDS-especially with her family, living in constant fear and anxiety about potential consequences if her secret was revealed. Today, she serves as the executive director of BDS, the foremost LGBTQIA+ rights organisation in the country.

Dhakal, a transgender woman, is also a founding member of the Asia-Pacific Transgender Network and represents South Asia. She served as a former co-chair on the Inter...