Meet Manoj Shahi alias Monica: Nepal’s first transgender with a passport

It was a proud moment not just for Monica but for transgenders all over South Asia and the world.

Kathmandu, August 12: In a major step forward for the rights of the LGBT (Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgenders) community in Nepal, a 37 year old transgender has become the first recipient from the community of a passport.

Manoj Shahi who also goes by the name of Monica, was handed her passport, by the Director of the Department of passports in Nepal on Monday. It was the day that Monica did not just get a government document but got a proof of her identity which she can now proudly wear. The passport is a proof that what she has been working for her entire life has not gone for waste.

It was a proud moment not just for Monica but for transgenders all over South Asia and the world, who have been struggling to receive even the basic rights as citizens. The LGBT rights activist is the first person in the country to get the passport under the ‘O’ (Other) category of sex, which is very rare. Also Read: SEXY OR NOT? Caroline Cossey, Carmen Carrera – Top 10 Transgender Models in the World!

“Today is an important day in my life and I hope the younger generation is encouraged by the move,” said an overjoyed Shahi. According to activists, this is the first case in Asia where the third gender has been given a passport with their own identity. In April last year, India recognized transgender as a third sex, in a landmark judgement.

After the judgement, that was hailed as a progressive move all over the world, a lot of members of the community have been given equal rights to compete and have been empowered. In the aftermath, India also welcomed it’s first transgender MLA in MP State Legislative Assembly, Shabnam Mausi, its first transgender mayor in Chhatttisgarh, Madhu Kinnar and its first transgender principal of a college in West Bengal, Manabi Bandyopadhyay.