Social Justice
Recipient
Aaditya Rai
Nepal
Aaditya Rai is a gay man with a disability. I have been advocating for LGBTI right since 2013. Due to my intersectional identity being a double orphan, Indigenous cast, disabled and gay man I have always faced double discrimination. Even my education scholarship was boycotted and
I was evicted from an orphanage when I came out in the media as feminine gay man with a disability. After I was evicted from the orphanage I was on the road left alone. To survive I started working as sex worker for 5 years. My situation has never been easy, huddles and sprawling have been with me. Even working sex work as a disabled person and crosser-dresser was not easy but made more challenging. However, I was able to pay rent.
I have never been accepted by society – there was no existence of social protection and security. However, 2018 turned out to be a turning point for me; I joined LGBTI organization
and started working as a program officer. In 2019 I believe that youth like me are left behind because of being LGBTI and disabled, cast, orphan, and our intersectional Identity. I had the concept of organization and design everything alone. Despite being left alone and suffering from crises where all doors were shut for me, I create my own path to be better so with the saving from sex work. In November 2022, I was finally successful in registering the first and only one Rainbow Disability Nepal. Now, I take care of RDN as a sitting executive director of the organization.
Brief information about your work
I’m a Founder of RDN. November 2022, I was finally successful in registering the First and only one Rainbow Disability Nepal. It is registered in Nepali as Indreni Apangata Nepal (Rainbow Disability Nepal), the first non-Governmental organization working for the disabled LGBTIQ+ population / queer Disability in Nepal. RDN works to ensure the basic human rights for the disabled LGBTI / Queer Disability people across the country. Now I work as Executive Director. It is up to E.D to oversee program development and seek grants and proposals, manage projects and oversee budgets. We develop capacity building plan and provide human rights-related training and workshops to employees, community members and government officials and law, policy makers. We strengthen the protection of Queer Disability and work towards the full implementation of the current laws and take measures to implement the Supreme Court and Constitution decision. We also develop a network with various stakeholders and required agencies to represent on various forums and workshops. I play a role as a leader for the queer disability inspiration and aspiration. I’m evolving and educating myself with a diversity of skills. We are creating a space for betterment of RDN and self- recognition. I am also using my art skill in therapy for counseling and providing opportunities for the community.
What one achievement you’ve accomplished that you’re most proud of? Why?
My accomplishment that I’m most proud of is that I was able to be first person to represent queer disabled people to register Rainbow Disability Nepal as first queer disability organization in Nepal.
What do you find most challenging about your work? Why?
Most challenging of my work is the lack of acceptance from within the LGBTI community and heterosexual disability community. It is also difficult because queer disability are double discriminated and most vulnerable within LGBTI and Disability Community. Issues of the queer disability community needs to be mainstream. LGBTI, Disability, Society, NGO /INGO and Government are not aware about queer disability issues.
What do you do to recharge your battery?
Last 2022, I was first runner up winner of painting competition organized by Friedrich Naumann Foundation (Born with Pride). In 2023 design competition, my handmade design was selected for the ambassador collaboration (One Young world). I take part in competitions and I do painting to recharge my battery.
What is your vulnerability and how do you overcome it?
My vulnerability is my intersectional identity and being myself as double orphan, having a disability, Indigenous cast and gay man. I face multiple discrimination. Vulnerability comes towards me in different forms of ways, whether by making identity cards, physical daily works, etc, so every day I’m advocating verbally with people to overcome all vulnerability. Continuously explaining and sharing my situation of background is the process overcome. Also, I create pictures of my vulnerability to overcome.
You have been nominated for the Social Justice Hero category.
What was your reaction and please, tell us why?
My first reaction was thanking God. For the first time, at least someone is doing social justice towards me, because I have never been treated equally, never been accepted and never been seen as human. I felt relief and blushed because now at least after suffering so much and contributing to advocating I’m being recognized internationally. I gave up all my saving for the Community and have been loyal towards the community. This Social Justice has given me Sun Rays in my life and spark in my Dark life.
What is a warm/hopeful message that you would like to share with the communities in the Asia Pacific?
I was down because I had no savings, no further education and going through difficult times. I was demotivated from doing all the works for community and not benefiting anything but out of blue I was awarded for my contribution. Sooner or later, everyone has a day of shine. So, just be patient and hardworking.
