About Us
VISION
“Equality for All Sexual Orientations and Gender Identities: Human Rights for Everyone”
MISSION
EQUAL GROUND is a non profit organization seeking human and political rights for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Questioning (LGBTIQ) community of Sri Lanka.
TARGET GROUP
The community we come from, work in and are most accountable to is the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex community. They are of different age groups, ethnicities, cultures, races, religious, economic, geographic and/or social backgrounds. We appreciate these differences as strengths and not a point for division so we speak of one community even though it has many parts. This community includes those questioning their sexual and gender identity, families and friends of the LGBTI individuals and our heterosexual allies.
Due to the criminalization of homosexuality in Sri Lanka, there have been no official counts done on the target population. However, we estimate that 6 – 10% of the county’s population is LGBTI- based on the percentages reported in other South Asian countries.
CORE VALUES
These are based on EQUAL GROUND’s commitment to the LGBTIQ community in Sri Lanka, by being the only organization in Sri Lanka to incorporate all members of the LGBTIQ community and its heterosexual allies into its mission and work; adopting a human rights approach to equality for all LGBTIQ individuals.
1. Respect for fundamental human rights
We believe in the dignity and equality of all people.
We believe in the observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the realization of the specific provisions of the following international human rights instruments:
- The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
- The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights;
- The International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination;
- The Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women;
- The Convention on the Rights of the Child
2. Inclusivity
- We believe in collective and democratic involvement
- We believe in celebrating diversity
3. Transparency
- We believe that we are accountable to our community, our donors, and allies
4. Local, Regional and International Cooperation and Solidarity
- We believe in working collaboratively with individuals and organizations locally, regionally and internationally
5. Innovative and Challenging
- We believe in Thinking outside the box and outside the closet