Nepal in 2007. This has encouraged other third gender citizens to demand correct legal identification with their correct gender. Continuous lobbying, delegations, and sit-in programs from the local to national level have been carried out by the Blue Diamond Society. The Manisha Dhaka l was awarded the "Nai Rani Laxmi" award in 2010 for her contributions to LGBT rights and actively participated in the pleadings in the petition filed for equal rights in 2007. Controversies In 2012, Blue Diamond Society was accused of corruption and nepotism, which led to serious financial trouble for the organization. BDS responded by saying that "called conspiracies to defame the society and weaken the campaign launched for the rights of third gender people and sexual minorities," whilst never really addressing the merits of the accusation. During the investigation, Sunil Babu Pant immigrated to London. Blue Diamond Society has also been recorded by National News Channels for physically attacking people who reported their corruption. Blue Diamond Society had threatened those transgender individuals who do not identify as 'third gender' to remain silent and not speak about the issue. Criticisms The Blue Diamond Society has been criticized for creating a rigid "third gender narrative" in Nepal. A gender fluid person was reportedly mocked by the Blue Diamond Society. It has been criticized for rejecting the belief that there are multiple genders, and having pejorative attitudes against genderqueer or gender fluid people. In 2019, a series of confessions posted online called out the organization's alleged transphobia. It was alleged that famous Nepalese actor Santosh Panta's transgender daughter was advised by a representative of the organisation to call herself as 'third gender' contrary to her self-identification. Awards In 2007, Blue Diamond Society won the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission's (IGLHRC) Felipa de Souza Award. Pride Festival Nepal's Pride festival is organised by Blue Diamond Society annually on the day of Gai Jatra. The first annual pride festival by BDS in Nepal was held in 2010 in Kathmandu, the 6th International LGBTI Pride festival took place in 2016 with the support of UNDP under Global Fund MSA program. See also LGBT rights in Nepal Intersex rights in Nepal List of LGBT rights organizations Intersex civil society organizations Intersex human rights References External links Blue Diamond Society Why Asia's Gays Are Starting to Win Acceptance Can Nepal Sell Itself as a Gay-Wedding Destination? LGBT political advocacy groups in Nepal