Nepal gives formal recognition to third gender

http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=93575
9/18/2008

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.