LGBT LIFE IN SRI LANKA IS STILL TOUGH
EQUAL GROUND is the only organisation in Sri Lanka advocating for LGBT rights. The non-profit group has an online magazine and offers free counseling through Facebook Messenger. DNA spoke to Rosanna Flamer-Caldera, the Executive Director.
DNA: Tell us about your work. Rosanna: Founded in 2004, we advocate for the decriminalization of homosexual activity and the elimination of discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Our mission is to achieve equality for all sexual orientations and gender identities; human rights for everyone. How much have things changed since 2004? 14 years ago there was no gay pride in Sri Lanka. We now have a vibrant, well-attended gay pride celebration in Colombo. This has gained support from corporate sponsors and LGBTIQ and straight allies. There is far more support from society and government institutions now than 14 years ago. There are also many more LGBTIQ individuals coming out and being open and proud. What is media reporting on gay issues like? Until two years ago, media engagement was extremely poor with only derogatory and misleading articles published. Now the media is writing more articles portraying LGBTIQ positively. EQUAL GROUND has, and continues to, have its own articles published in the English and Sinhala language newspapers. We actively engage with the government, the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, the police and others. Our Corporate Diversity Programs are growing with more corporates coming on board to include LGBTIQ persons in the workforce. What is life like being gay in Sri Lanka today? Being LGBTIQ in Sri Lanka is still tough. Life may be a bit better in the urban areas but the rural areas continue to challenge us. Most issues stem from law enforcement and the violation of our rights. Families often refuse to acknowledge our sexual orientation and/ or gender identities and expressions. Many LGBTIQ people are forced into heterosexual marriages. Finding and keeping a job is difficult. Are gay clubs, bars and shops hidden? There are no gay-specific clubs, bar or shops. The community holds their own parties at a
If we are honest about ourselves… there will be consequences.
Can you safely fly the rainbow flag? We have always flown the rainbow flag very proudly at our events. Most urban areas are savvier to what the rainbow flag means, but in rural areas most people do not know the significance of the rainbow flag. Two big companies in Sri Lanka also have a rainbow flag as their symbol, so people don’t automatically connect our rainbow flag with gay rights. What impact does Colombo Pride have? Colombo Pride is the only opportunity for the Sri Lankan LGBTIQ community to be themselves and proudly embrace their identities in public. For security reasons, we had to keep it low profile with less publicity for the first few years. Now it reaches out to
every corner of the island, which is why we have a diverse participation from different cities during Pride. We have a series of events throughout the month of June including a media conference, music and dance festival, a film festival, Pride parties and sensitizing programs for family and friends of LGBTIQ persons. Colombo Pride is a pretty colourful occasion and the most awaited event of the year for the LGBTIQ community in Sri Lanka. What are the biggest issues facing gay people in Sri Lanka? Obtaining medical assistance and legal assistance are quite high on the list. It is difficult for us to go to a government office or hospital and get treated as equally. Since it is illegal here to engage in consenting samesex sexual conduct, we are unable to open up about our relationships. The worst part is we cannot get the same emotional support from family, friends and professionals as a cisheterosexual in cases of a mental or physical breakdown. All these issues are worse in rural areas than urban. Although homosexuality is still technically illegal, is it true that the law is rarely enforced? Most of the time, homosexual people in Sri Lanka keep low profiles and are very secretive about relationships if they are engaged in one. The feeling is that as long as it is hidden and kept a secret, no one can take legal actions against them. If a couple of men kiss in public and are noticed, however, they could end up in jail. From your own experience can you live life as a happy gay person in Sri Lanka? I don’t think a gay person can have a happy life here yet. If we maintain our personal space well and keep our sexual preferences a secret, we might be able to have a less complicated life. If we are honest about ourselves, we might face a lot of discrimination – there will be consequences. How will the current political turmoil affect the gay community? The unfavorable political climate and the homophobic, misogynistic and racist politicians attached to the “new” government is of grave concern for us. What do you hope for in the future? I wish someday all of us will have equal treatment and acceptance despite our sexual orientations or gender identities. Hopefully a day will come when we don’t have to live in the shadows. One day society will understand and accept everyone without marginalizing or discriminating and that is when this country will be a better place.
MORE: Go to equal-ground.org, find their many video stories uploaded on the Equal Ground YouTube channel, or go to their pages on Facebook and Twitter