Resources

Human, Right?

This publication addresses Gay rights through a Human Rights perspective

Stepping Out

For parents of children with alternate sexual orientations and gender identities

I might be Transgender

An information booklet for young persons who are questioning their gender identity

I might be Gay

An information booklet for young men who are questioning their attraction to other men

I might be Lesbian

An information booklet for young women who are questioning their attraction to other women

I might be Bisexual

An information booklet for young persons who are questioning their attraction to other men and women

Trilingual Media Guidelines

A guideline to encourage positive, responsible and accurate media reporting on LGBTIQ issues

A booklet in Sinhala, Tamil, and English, focusing on the rights and laws that affect the LGBTIQ community in Sri Lanka and which provides information on how to protect themselves when faced with rights violations of any type

Ally for Equality

Basic ideas and everyday changes that will assist you to be an admirable Ally

Annual Report 2021

2021 has been a challenging year for EQUAL GROUND (EG) due to the persistent spread of COVID-19 that demanded the tightening of restrictions and frequent lockdowns. Yet 2021 was a year of transformation that enabled us to successfully face the challenges that the “new normal” brought upon us. The dedication, hard work, and creativity of the staff enabled EG to reach milestones not only at an organisational level but also at a national level. Welcome to our Annual Report for 2021!

Annual Report 2022

Sri Lanka witnessed a multidimensional crisis compounded by food insecurity, threatened livelihoods, shortages of vital and essential medicines, as well as rising protection concerns. The economic crisis is the worst since Sri Lanka’s independence in 1948 and is having humanitarian consequences for many vulnerable people in the country. Regardless, EQUAL GROUND has strived to achieve its milestones in advocacy. Welcome to our Annual Report 2022!

Police Circular No. 2740/2022

In a historic move, Sri Lanka Police issued a Circular as a result of EQUAL GROUND's case filed in the Court of Appeal - CA/Writ/425/21. This comprehensive Circular prohibits arbitrary arrests or discriminatory actions, harassment against Transgender persons.

EQUALITY

An internationally distributed publication which reaches the LGBTIQ community and allies both at home and abroad. It is a unique, Sri Lankan LGBTIQ interest periodical that serves as a creative platform for the community, informing our readers on the issues facing LGBTIQ persons in our country, and also focusing on health and fitness, tourism, leisure, fashion, and culture.

December 2019

June 2019

November 2018

April 2018

December 2017

September 2017

May 2017

December 2016

Research Publications

Struggling against Homophobic Violence and Hate Crimes

A report on the documentation and research conducted by EQUAL GROUND from April 2010-June 2011 on violence against LB women in the rural areas

Strengthening of Legal Protection for LGBT in Sri Lanka: road to decriminalization

Situation Analysis of the laws affecting LGBTIQ persons in Sri Lanka

The LGBT Stigma and Discrimination Index of Sri Lanka

Tracking the Stigma and Discrimination faced by LGBTIQ persons in Sri Lanka

Analysing the Culture of Transphobia

Tracking real life issues faced by Transgender persons in Sri Lanka

Mapping LGBT in Colombo, Kandy, Matara and Nuwara Eliya

A pilot study to ascertain the percentage of LGBT persons prevalent in these areas

Mapping LGBTIQ Identities in Sri Lanka

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer/Questioning (LGBTIQ) population in Sri Lanka are subject to legal, political and social restraints. EQUAL GROUND believes that mapping LGBTIQ identities anonymously across Sri Lanka would be an effective, safe and nonintrusive method to shed light on the hidden LGBTIQ community and their issues in Sri Lanka.

A Study on Workplace Discrimination

This study is an exploratory research to ascertain the plight of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer/Questioning (LGBTIQ) employees in Sri Lanka, from the perspectives of employed LGBTIQ persons, as well as organisational management.

A Missing Piece of the Puzzle: An Analysis of Education and Employment Policies of Sri Lanka from a LGBTIQ Rights Perspective.

This policy brief analyses education and employment policies in Sri Lanka and how they affect the LGBTIQ community in this country.

Making workplaces safer for LGBTIQ employees.

Despite the protection that the employees receive through our domestic labour laws, or the existing recommendations and conventions given by the International Labour Organisation(ILO) Conventions, there seems to be a lack of knowledge about what these employee rights are, and what can be done if they are violated. This booklet is designed to be used as a quick reference guide for LGBTIQ employees, to help them understand and know their rights in a workplace.

Understanding LGBTIQ terminology

Terminology helps to build bridges and assists in understanding. This guide is to assist us in understanding the LGBTIQ community in all its diversity. The LGBTIQ community is fluid, colourful, varied and different, but they are very much a part of our society, worldwide. Sri Lanka is no exception. This booklet is a step toward understanding who we are.

LGBTIQ Rights and The Economic Impact

Diversity and Inclusion has tangible benefits to companies and it enhances the economic growth of a country as well. As such it is imperative that discriminatory legislation and laws are repealed and by doing so Sri Lanka will not only ensure that human rights of all its citizens are protected but also can reap the economic benefits of LGBTIQ inclusion and decriminalisation.