''We are standing in the elections to fight the discrimination against our community. This is a very symbolic approach to tell all Nepalis that we have equal rights.''

-- Sunil Babu Pant, founder of Nepal's gay rights group, Blue Diamond Society, explaining why he and four other gay candidates are running for seats in that country's Assembly. Nepali law includes a ban on ''unnatural sex,'' punishable by up to a year in prison. (Reuters)