Sunilbabu Pant said he has written to Facebook founders Mark Zuckerberg (above) and Chris Hughes asking an option as “third gender” or “others” when signing up.      – Reuters (File Photo)

KATMANDU: A prominent lawmaker and gay rights activist in Nepal says he has asked Facebook to include a third option for people who do not identify themselves as male or female.

Sunilbabu Pant said he has written to Facebook founders Mark Zuckerberg and Chris Hughes asking an option as “third gender” or “others” when signing up because people who do not identify as male or female continue to be sidelined by Facebook’s options.

Pant said he has not received any response from Facebook but was hopeful.

Pant is the only openly gay parliament member in Nepal and has been campaigning for the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in the Himalayan nation.