Miss Pink Nepal 2024 in Katmandu spotlights 18 transgender women showcasing their talents and flair. Nepal has some of South Asia's most progressive laws on homosexuality and transgender rights, with landmark reforms passed in 2007 prohibiting discrimination based on gender or sexual orientation -- but the community continues to face discrimination from society. "It's a medium to empower our community, to bring about change in society, and to end discrimination in our community," says pageant participant Pinky Gurung. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES