Storytelling: Documenting Queer Stories

Welcome to "Storytelling: Documenting Queer Stories," a project born out of passion and commitment to giving voice to the diverse narratives within the queer community.

Growing up, the absence of meaningful queer literature and representation in Nepal left me searching for authentic stories that resonated with the lived experiences of queer individuals. The available content, scarce and often tinged with mockery, underscored the need for a platform that would authentically capture the spectrum of emotions, from joy to sorrow, inherent in the queer journey in Nepal.

In February 2023, my perspective expanded through participation in the IVLP Project, "A Global Moment in Time - Reflections on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility," facilitated by the U.S. Department of State and Meridian International Center. This experience led me to the IVLP Impact Award, with which I wanted to establish a digital archive to house the compelling stories of queer individuals in hopes that coming generations will be able to listen and read about queer-lived experiences from queer people themselves in the future.

As a writer and storyteller, I want to gather queer lived experiences in my country: to document history in the making. This wouldn't have been possible without the five remarkably talented queer storytellers. I extend heartfelt thanks to the incredible individuals at Meridian International Center and the U.S. Department of State for their support and guidance throughout this journey. Most importantly, my immense gratitude goes to the storytellers who believed in me and joined me in this endeavor. Your willingness to share your stories has enriched this project immeasurably.

And to you, dear readers. Thank you for being part of this journey, as we contribute to a more inclusive and compassionate world through the powerful medium of storytelling.