Sri Lanka IDAHO Report 2013

Activists in Sri Lanka, a country in which LGBT activism is limited by conservative cultural mores and the official outlawing of same sex relationships, organised to create two videos which they released for this year’s international May 17 commemorations. Homophobia Hurts features a series of excerpts illustrating the different dimensions of violence and discrimination against LGBT people. Equal Ground – We Stand Up for Equality is a collage of different messages from the Sri Lankan LGBT community, united by the theme ‘love is instinct, hate is taught’. The British High Commission in Colombo, also marked the Day by presenting a cheque to a local LGBT not-for-profit, and issuing a statement about global injustice against LGBTQI people worldwide.

Video campaign

The Sri Lanka-based EQUAL GROUND organization commemorated the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia by uploading two videos on YouTube.
EQUAL Ground is the only mixed organization on Sri Lanka, working on LGBT rights in the country. The organization also collaborates with straight allies to create stable, equal and harmonious society in Sri Lanka.

British High Commission Colombo also marked the Day

Reports Daily FT: The British High Commission Colombo marked IDAHO with a presentation of a cheque by the British Deputy High Commissioner Robbie Bulloch to Rosanna Flamer-Caldera, Director of Equal Ground, a non-profit organisation seeking human and political rights for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Questioning (LGBTIQ) community of Sri Lanka. Speaking at the occasion, the Deputy High Commissioner said, “Many countries still deny their citizens the right to live according to their preferred gender identity. The UK views this as an injustice in the 21st century context. The British Government has been campaigning worldwide for the rights of these communities and people.”