Gay Athletes Prepare For Asia's First LGBT Sports Festival

    Nepal will host the groundbreaking games in October. See photos from the LGBT community's first training session.

    Jessica Testa
    by Jessica Testa

    BuzzFeed News Reporter

    More than 200 LGBT athletes from 17 Asian countries are slated to compete in the festival on Oct. 12.

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    Niranjan Shrestha / AP

    Here, members of the Blue Diamond Society, Nepal's only gay rights group, practice at Dasarath stadium in Katmandu on Sunday, Aug. 26.

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    Niranjan Shrestha / AP

    Sunilbabu Pant, head of the Blue Diamond Society.

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    NAVESH CHITRAKAR / Reuters

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    Niranjan Shrestha / AP

    Bhakti Shah, a lesbian who served in the Nepalese Army until she was discharged because of her sexuality.

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    Niranjan Shrestha / AP

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    NAVESH CHITRAKAR / Reuters

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    NAVESH CHITRAKAR / Reuters

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    NAVESH CHITRAKAR / Reuters

    Competing athlete Prabin Taman, 21.

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    Niranjan Shrestha / AP

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    NAVESH CHITRAKAR / Reuters