Dr. Seuss reminds us, “Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”
At Buneko Nepal, we believe this extends to every individual’s right to express their authentic self, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics.This is not just about social justice, but also about creating a more sustainable and inclusive society.
The journey towards LGBTQIA+ equality has been long and arduous. Though the world hasn’t reached where it should be, to protect the rights of all queer individuals around the world, the fight for queer liberation continues. Some milestones are key points in the timeline, where we pause to gather, breathe, and celebrate queer joy and happiness. The World Health Organization’s declassification of homosexuality as a mental illness and Nepal’s constitutional protection of queer rights and the recent legalization of same-sex marriage are testaments to the progress.
“Everyone deserves to feel valued, respected, and empowered to be their authentic selves.”
However, the fight for true acceptance continues. The reality on the ground often lags behind even with seemingly progressive laws. Social stigma, lack of understanding persists hugely, dehumanizing the people with the identity of LGBTQIA+. Globally, many countries still criminalize LGBTQIA+ identities.
Sustainability isn’t just about environmental practices, it’s about creating a world that is equitable and just for everyone. Buneko Nepal recognizes this and takes concrete steps to be a vocal ally for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Over the years, Buenko and its team have closely worked with queer individuals in different projects to address the issues of the time. We felt that it was important to put the spotlight on queer individuals, celebrating the pride month and IDAHOBIT, to be more inclusive onwards.
To commemorate the struggles of queer liberation, we called in queer folks to be featured as our models. Four young and talented queer individuals were invited to be part of Buneko’s campaign this year.
Buneko recognizes that the mainstream narrative starkly lacks meaningful representation and to address that, we launched a campaign to promote a more inclusive society by normalizing affection between queer models.
“By featuring LGBTQ+ individuals, these campaigns bring visibility to a community that is often underrepresented in mainstream media. Moreover, featuring LGBTQ+ individuals can serve as positive role models, particularly for young people who may be struggling with their own identity.” – Ashish Lama, Model
“My friends were happy to see homosexual couples in the ads.” – Yanjan Kumar Joshi, Model
“This campaign helped to solve that “difference” people saw by making it seem that most simple and normal and pure form of love.” – Aagya Ghimire, Law Student
While Buneko Nepal provides visibility through its campaigns, we understand the need for a multi-pronged approach. We know that this campaign also is not enough and we also emphasize that this is not a stand-alone project.
“We adhere to a strict no-discrimination policy based on someone’s sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics. We continue to be more inclusive and sustainable in all our approaches.”
– Saurav Karki, Founder, Buneko Nepal
“I have worked closely with Buneko over the years. I believe there are many ways to advocate for equality. By showcasing the creativity and love within the LGBGTQIA+ community, Buneko weaves inclusivity into the very fabric of sustainability. It’s a powerful approach that resonates deeply with me.”
– Dia Yonzon, Writer
