Sophie Sunuwar is the first transgender makeup artist of Nepal. She owns a hair and makeup studio in Kathmandu, who is also known to be the first transgender to come out openly in public. But her journey wasn’t that easy. She faced discrimination right from her childhood. "My brother and sister used to call me names and derogatory terms," Sunuwar recalls her agonizing childhood. Sophie was not much aware about her different world during that time. But now things have changed to a great extent as she believes that her sexual identity is the strongest aspect.

"Being a transgender is not my weakness, rather a power," she shares with pride today. It's been 13 years of working in the fashion and entertainment industry and in this period, she shares that she never had to face any sort of discrimination. "I was never looked at as a third gender. Rather than my sexual orientation, my work and profession was appraised," Sophie feels grateful towards the people. Even though in some context, if she is ever judged as a third gender, she finds a positive environment even there. "It’s not a question if anyone used derogatory terms or discriminated while walking on the way. The most important thing is whether a citizen received the fundamental rights or not," she raises her major concern. The young and confident Sophie is more concerned about people like her being deprived of health and education. Employment opportunity is another major challenge. "Accusations are rife that third genders are only engaged in sex works in nooks and corners of capital city. But only few know that many are educated and talented. Many have educational certificates. But where is the right place for utilization?" she demands equal job opportunities with the authority for her LGBTIQ community.

Regarding personal profession, Sophie is fully satisfied since working in the makeup world has made her feel like doing a sort of meditation. "It feels like I am playing, and earning in the course of playing," she giggles. She is glad to welcome and inspire many transgender makeup artists like her today, who were reluctant to come in front of society openly with their real identity in the past. She is confident that the new generation would not face the hardships that she went through, but she is disappointed that the third genders are not included even in simple posts in government and non government organizations. She believes people from LGBTIQ community should get an opportunity to be included in different sectors as per their own capacity.  "We can make contributions as others for the development of nation. We are ready to support but we need opportunities first as rights and responsibilities come together. We are ready to fulfill our responsibility," Sophie shares her determination and commitment.

She follows the common voice that if Sustainable Development Goals need to be achieved, then each and every individual should get an environment to live a dignified life along with employment opportunity as per own capacity. Till then, she is hopeful that the society's attitude towards the LGBTIQ community will change gradually.