quote:

---

(Katmandu) Nepal's struggling LGBT community is getting some much needed help from gay rock star Elton John.

Sir Elton has given the Himalayan country's only gay civil rights group, The Blue Diamond Society, a gift of $25,000. It isn't much by western standards but the group says that it is considered a small fortune in Nepal.

Much of the money will go for Blue Diamond's work with people with HIV/AIDS. The rest will be spent on political activities and education.

"We have established a hospice in Kathmandu for AIDS patients who have reached an advanced stage and have been abandoned by their families," said Sunil Pant, the founder of BDS.

Plant said that often when gays come out, are transgendered or are diagnosed with HIV they are disowned by their families.

"They have few skills and virtually no means of livelihood," Pant said. "No one wants to hire them. So they end up as sex workers."

International human rights groups have long criticized Nepal for its treatment of sexual minorities.

---