07 June 2022: All of us are Sri Lankans, living in the same country sharing the same space. We as Sri Lankans deeply value togetherness, empathy, and being respectful towards each other. We are all human beings, regardless of our perceived differences.With these ideas in mind, EQUAL GROUND presents its latest social awareness campaign ‘Live with Love’, to create more …
UN rights body rules that criminalisation of same-sex relations between consenting women is a human rights violation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: COLOMBO, 24 March 2022 “Major win for Sri Lanka’s LGBTIQ community,” says EQUAL GROUND EQUAL GROUND welcomes a landmark decision by a UN human rights body which has found that the criminalisation of consensual, same-sex relations between women in Sri Lanka is a human rights violation. The decision in a case brought by Rosanna Flamer-Caldera to the …
EQUAL GROUND Partners with Selyn, Brunch, Yellow Dot and Pulse for Colombo PRIDE 2021
Colombo PRIDE continues to grow in strength, and this year is no different. Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic, our network of LGBTIQ rights organisations and supportive allies are growing. The latest additions to Colombo PRIDE 2021 are Selyn(local business partner), Yellow Dot (social media partner), Pulse (online media partner), and Brunch (digital media partner). Selyn’s PIN IT WITH …
The Launch of Colombo PRIDE 2021
Colombo, Sri Lanka 25th May 2021: EQUAL GROUND, together with Équité Sri Lanka, Jaffna Transgender Network, National Transgender Network, Sathguna Padanama (Galle) and Queer Agenda Sri Lanka welcomes you to COLOMBO PRIDE 2021. This is the 17th edition of Colombo PRIDE organised by EQUAL GROUND. This year the celebrations will be mostly virtual and will take place in the months …
Mapping LGBTIQ Identities in Sri Lanka
In Sri Lanka, diverse Sexual Orientations and/or Gender Identities/Expressions are heavily marginalized, but research shows that 12% of the adult population (18 – 65 years) identify as LGBTIQ. What are the sentiments, challenges, and frustrations of the LGBTIQ community? How do non-LGBTIQ persons view the LGBTIQ community? Discussing all these issues and more, EQUAL GROUND just launched its latest report …
‘Proud Allies’ Campaign
Allies are some of the most effective and powerful voices of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Questioning/Queer (LGBTIQ) movement. They can be our siblings, our parents, relatives, our friends, teachers, co-workers and so on. However, it is important to understand that not only non-LGBTIQ persons, but also LGBTIQ persons can be an Ally for their fellow community members. …
EQUAL GROUND Voices Concerns over Forced Anal/Vaginal Examinations on LGBTIQ Community in Sri Lanka
In the recent past, EQUAL GROUND (EG) has repeatedly raised concerns about Sri Lankan Judicial Medical Officers (JMOs) conducting forced anal and vaginal penetration examinations on the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, and Queer/Questioning (LGBTIQ) community, upon their arrests, to prove their “homosexuality.” The Sri Lanka police uses Sections 365 and 365A of the Penal Code, which criminalises “carnal intercourse …
Rainbow Music & Dance Festival (Virtual Edition) for Colombo PRIDE 2020
EQUAL GROUND and Colombo PRIDE 2020 (the virtual Edition) are happy to announce the winners of the Stand Out in PRIDE – Music and Dance Video Competition. 28 entries from very talented performers were submitted for consideration. Winner Dancing Category Cash Prize of Rs 20,000/= Among the 07 entries received for the Dancing category, the judges picked the Entry by …