By: Isuru Parakrama
June 22, Colombo (LNW): Equal Ground, the oldest running non-profit organisation working for people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions and sex characteristics in Sri Lanka, is proudly hosting its 21st annual “Colombo PRIDE” event with a series of events celebrating the rights of the LGBTQIA+ people in Sri Lanka.
In a glamorous event, the Colombo PRIDE Walk was organised this afternoon in Colombo. Yet another successful walk organised by Equal Ground, the Colombo PRIDE walk was attended by members of the LGBTQIA+ community, their family members, allies and individuals concerned of the rights of the marginalised communities.
The Colombo PRIDE was incepted in 2004, with Equal Ground’s establishment of the same year. For more than two decades, the organisation has been raising awareness amongst the public about the rights of the marginalised communities on a national scale.
Colombo PRIDE, influenced by the global PRIDE movement stemmed from the fights against historical injustices targetting LGBTQIA+ constituencies across the world, primarily focuses the demand of repealing colonial laws in enactment criminalising LGBTQIA+ citizens in Sri Lanka. Whilst combatting social discrimination, harassment, violence and prejudice against queer individuals, the Sri Lankan LGBTQIA+ movement demands right to equality by repealing Section 365 and 365A of the Penal Code, which are commonly misinterpreted deeming consensual same-sex conduct between adults a criminal offence, and safeguarding their rights guaranteed under Article 12 of the Constitution.
This year’s Pride Month holds special significance, as celebrations that were once confined to Colombo have now expanded across the island, reaching the Northern, Central, and Western provinces of the island.
Photo Courtesy: Ajith Seneviratne
