In the wake of the prevailing crisis of the country, the Sri Lankan LGBTIQ community has joined forces in demonstrating their objection to the President and the Government.
The Sri Lankan LGBTIQ Community today (08) staged a peaceful demonstration at the Lipton Circle, Union Place, Colombo starting from 3.30 pm.
The economic, social and political instability in the country has affected every citizen as well as the community of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, expressions and sex characteristics, the protesters pointed out.
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer (LGBTIQ) Community of Sri Lanka throughout the course of time has been subject to discrimination, harassment and violence on multiple platforms since the colonial interpretation of criminalisation driving those of diverse sexual identities into being criminals before law via the Penal Code and the Vagrants Ordinance. Despite a progressive social and political atmosphere being grown towards the visibility of these groups, there are ongoing reports on LGBTIQ individuals being subject to marginalisation on or off the state structure, including, but not limited to, arbitrary arrests, domestic violence, declining job opportunities, harassment in public places, challenges in access to services and etc. Simply put, these groups are challenged in enjoying their rights and privileges equally due to their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or sex characteristics.
Them being an intersection of society, the current crisis in the country has severely affected the LGBTIQ Community, thus the protest demonstrates that their struggle is not an isolated one, but a part of a larger human rights struggle.
Editor (LGBTIQ)
Photos: Nadeera Harshani Photography
