Neelam Paudel created a history by becoming the first trans woman from Nepal to summit Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak, on May 23.
Her ascent marks a milestone not only in the Nepali mountaineering but also for the LGBTQ+ community.
Following the climb, Paudel (35) spoke openly about the discrimination she faced while growing up.
Standing atop the mountain, she said "This summit is not mine alone. It belongs to every person who has ever been made to feel unseen."
Her ascent has drawn widespread response from Nepal's civil society, LGBTQ+ organizations, and youth communities, many of whom see it as something rare - a moment of visibility that did not need to be argued for or explained.
