Defending the LGBTQIA+ Community’s Pride, Dignity and Right to Be Seen
Photo courtesy of Kumanan
Last year a transgender individual reached out to the local police for assistance in retrieving a personal document from their family home after they had been denied access to their belongings by family members. The individual’s mother and the police ended up filing a case against the original complainant. As a result, the court ordered the individual to undergo a psychiatric examination at Jaffna hospital. When the case came to the attention of the Jaffna Transgender Network (JTN), immediate action was taken and the false narratives constructed against the transgender individual were dismantled.
Jaffna is seen through the lens of its post-war history but rarely recognized as a place where LGBTQIA+ lives and identities are visible, according to Angel Queentus, Founder Director of JTN, who pointed out that the incident highlighted the harassment and conflict transgender individuals face within their own families, how transphobia and misunderstandings begin within the family unit and how transgender individuals continue to be vulnerable to violence and discrimination from those closest to them.
For these reasons, the JTN established a community space that operates daily and has become a sanctuary and a source of strength for over 100 Tamil speaking individuals from the transgender and broader LGBTQIA+ community. The space is a multifunctional hub designed for healing, growth and connection. Individuals can play sports and build camaraderie through teamwork, access a library to read, study and explore, learn computer skills for empowerment and employment and cook and share meals, creating a sense of home and belonging. For those who face violence, rejection or mental abuse in their homes, it offers a lifeline where safe spaces for transgender individuals are scarce. Many visit daily for support while others are offered temporary shelter.
The fourth annual Pride Walk in Jaffna was a vibrant and powerful expression of our presence, resilience and hope. Pride Walk offers a reclaiming of space of identity and of voice for those of us who were made to feel invisible in our homes, schools, streets and in systems. There are many people like us living quietly and often in fear, still afraid to come out. But when they see us walking in pride, they see possibility and feel that they are not alone.
We were encouraged by the support shown by the local community, general public travelers, commuters, pedestrians and tourists along the route. We believe that continued public engagement and raising awareness are vital to building an informed society and creating lasting social impact. As with every year, we followed the standard procedure by informing the police in advance and requesting their support. Unfortunately, that support did not materialize and we regret the lack of coordination from the authorities, which could have contributed to a safer and more effective campaign.
In the face of exclusion and discrimination, we respond with compassion and clarity to the remarks made by the chief organizer of a political party for the Jaffna District condemning the LGBTQIA+ Pride Walk near the Nallur Kandaswamy Temple, accusing it of threatening Tamil values and desecrating sacred space. To say that our rights are an imposition of Western beliefs is a denial of the lived reality of thousands of Sri Lankans who were born here. We speak Tamil. We pray in the same temple. And yet, for generations, we have been asked to live quietly and to be invisible. It’s deeply inhuman and a grave violation of human dignity to discriminate against those who have already borne the weight of silence and violence. Our presence is not a threat. We believe Lord Murugan’s blessings shine fully on every person who walked in that Pride March.
In 2024, Chanu Nimesha made history by contesting the general elections from Kegalle District. As the country’s first openly transgender parliamentary candidate, her campaign centered on social justice, LGBTQIA+ rights and inclusive governance, which is a courageous step in a country where LGBTQIA+ visibility in politics remains rare. Although she did not secure a seat, her candidacy highlighted the legal and societal challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community and underscored the importance of representation.
The Malaiyaga community held its pride walk in Hatton, the second walk, marking a growing wave of visibility across Central Province. Lidurshan Avilash, the organizer and the director of Aruvi, founded in 2020 to uplift the Malaiyaga LGBTQIA+ community, said the Malaiyaga Pride Parade received enthusiastic support from civil society organizations. Local residents didn’t respond with hostility. Instead, many observed with curiosity and even surprise. Nearby shops contributed generously, offering food and water to participants.
Avilash added that for many in the upcountry region, where knowledge and visibility of LGBTQIA+ identities remain limited, the event marked a significant breakthrough. Heartwarming reactions came especially from older generations, some of whom expressed genuine appreciation. “I never understood these things before but today I am surprised by the courage and openness on display,” an elder remarked.
Plans are underway to bring similar awareness campaigns to other districts across the upcountry region, with a focus on social transformation. Pride walks have encouraged more transgender individuals to come out and openly embrace their identities. However, despite local solidarity, individuals from outside the region are spreading hatred on social media. Negative comments, bullying and even death threats were directed at participants.
“Malaiyaga culture is significantly influenced by Tamil traditions and we follow those same values and our practices are deeply connected to that tradition. What we express is not Western culture; it is not cultural appropriation or a form of cultural exploitation,” Avilash said, adding that religious art and devotional literature reflected acknowledgment of and space for gender expression in ancient Tamil culture.
Vishwa Pathum is the Founder and Chairperson of the Youth Pride Organization, Sri Lanka’s first youth-led initiative focused on the rights, well-being, and empowerment of young LGBTQIA+ individuals.
“The first Pride March in Colombo took place in 2022 during the aragalaya, marking a historic moment where LGBTQIA+ people stood in solidarity with broader struggles for democracy, justice and systemic change. The Pride March is a powerful political statement. It is an assertion of our visibility, our resistance and our demand for equality. The 2025 march turned the spotlight the ongoing violence, surveillance and harassment faced by particularly trans women, sex workers and gender-nonconforming youth,” said Pathum.
“One of the hardest parts of being visible as a queer organizer is the emotional cost. I’ve lost personal relationships, faced public harassment and had to work alongside individuals who have caused me harm in the past. It’s a constant balancing act of healing ourselves while holding space for our communities. Tokenism from institutions and NGOs makes it harder to build real, grassroots, community-led movements,” he pointed out.
The current government’s 2024 election manifesto outlined a commitment to impartial human identity and gender equality proposing revising discriminatory laws, including panel code 365 and 365(a) that oppress women, children and other marginalized groups; expanding constitutional protections to ensure no discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation; increasing access to state services, including healthcare, legal assistance, social protection and justice for the LGBTIQ+ community; and implementing legal and institutional reforms in relevant bodies such as the Human Rights Commission and Legal Aid Commission to safeguard the rights of marginalized groups
Our message is clear to the current government: repeal colonial era laws that criminalize LGBTQIA+ identities, end police brutality against marginalized communities and provide legal protections, healthcare, housing and education particularly for youth and rural and working class LGBTQIA+ individuals. Do not wait for international pressure or another tragedy. Do it because it is long overdue. We all dream of a Sri Lanka where dignity is not a privilege but a right. In the pride walk, every step remains as powerful, as necessary and as brave as ever.
