Nepal gets its first gay beauty salon

KATHMANDU: A gay beauty salon has opened for the first time in Nepal and has been hailed as an “opportunity” to support sexual minorities and empower the poor and marginalised. The Cutey Beauty Salon, run by gays and trans-genders, opened in Kathmandu’s upmarket Lazimpat area, close to a thriving department store and a gallery.

Inaugurated by Kikkan Haugen, deputy head of mission of the Norwegian embassy, the project is funded by the Oslo-based Norwegian National Association of Lesbian and Gay Liberation and Sigrid Rausing Trust in London.

The salon, which offers regular beauty parlour services like haircuts, facials, manicures and pedicures, is also a training academy for members of the gay community who want to train as beauticians. The first batch of 10 young ‘metis’, gay men who dress as women, is running the salon under the aegis of the Blue Diamond Society, Nepal’s sole gay rights group.

“Up to now, nothing has been done to support trans-genders and the sexual minorities, who are the most marginalised, poor and socially excluded in Nepal,” Sunil Pant, head of BDS, said. “The salon is an opportunity for them to lead self-supporting and dignified lives so that they can make a living and contribute to the larger society. This is a first of its kind in Nepal,” Pant added.

A 21-year-old meti, who calls himself Sophie and works as BDS human rights officer, is in charge of the salon.