Volurr,re Pece I

E,

l.

lssup

RrrNeow Nrws

I

DITORIAL

Dear Friends,

It

is my pleasure to introduce to you the first edition of Rainbow News, a publication of EQUAL GROUND. In this issue we strive to give the reader a cross-section of news, events, articles and poetry by the Gay community for the

lnside fhis issue.'

center and a mat weaving center in Batticaloa for 2 of

the

ILGA World Conference

communities

affected by the Tsu-

Adam and Steve

Cay community.

nami. (For those interested in our Tsunami

Contact details

For those of you who are not familliar with EQUAL GROUND and its work, let me begin by giving you, the

efforts, please get in touch with the office for details).

reader, a brief history of the organisation.

In the summer of 2004, a group of friends decided to form an organisation that would represent LGBTIQ persons in Sri Lanka in a manner that would evoke Pride and acceptance both within the LGBTIQ community, as well as society at

large. EQUAL GROUND is the only

organization in Sri Lanka that includes Lesbians, Gay men, Bisexuals, Tiansgender, Intersex, Questioning and Other (straight, supportive) folks who are interested in an equitable status for all citizens of this country, regardless

of

ethnicity, religion, caste, class, sexual orientation and gender identity. In particular it focuses on issues of inequaliry discrimination and marginalization of LGBTIQ persons across the entire populace ofSri Lanka.

In the almost 2 GROUND

years since

its inception, EQUAL

groundbreaking experiences which were highlighted by the publishing of a booklet entitled Human, has had

Right? and the first-ever Gay Pride event in Sri Lanka (2005). This event included over 300 people of mixed sexual orientations and gender identities coming together in an amazingaffirmation of solidarity to celebrate PRIDE. This was followed by a week long celebration of PRIDE in May 2006, which is the first time an event of this nature was attempted in Sri Lanka. \7e are hrppy to report that it was an enormous succâ‚ŹsS; and we thank our supporters and donors for making this possible.

Much of 2005 was also spent in assisting Tsunami affected persons in the South and the East. In an outpouring of love and solidariry LGBT persons and other supporters donated money to the EQUAL GROUND Tsunami Relief and Reconstruction fund. These funds were used to aid the survivors of the devastating Tsunami of December 2005. As part of this program, we established a sewing

Through our monthly

members meetings, PRIDE, events and our work as a Human fughts organisation, EQUAL GROUND is committed to elevating the status of the LGBTIQ community while simultaneously giving the many disempowered men, women and transgender individuals a sense ofbelonging, a sense ofPride and a sense of ac-

complishment.

Ve hope you will join

us as we stride toward our future

with renewed vigour and commitment to make Sri Lanka a place that we all can live in, devoid of fear, stigmatiza-

tion and discrimination. \With Best \7ishes,

*k,*.

,0.."

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Voluue l. IssuE I Pecr

RlrNaolv NEws

2

@€g€

5or@ odeor6deo

esscseD eo6@6c@ Oo@d@ Trans America SpoOcs q @t SoJcooJ SgoOcsd 8cs. qg6 go:6oJ

Prid'e Weeh

,r. i,'ii

om) @rOd OrSorS SOrs Ogr o:gO q6b2d Q d oro5exs oeofi@ oeOo26. @de d o:g 0 oO:oo5 6r@oc5

Md! 2006

csd€

e

AdO

oesrg6z @oeo

q@cozo

tsOeod qOQ eo6derO geO@ @OoJ @r o@d@ OOOoJ gorr pOgcszo AeOdOd

OO oeor6eoesS. @r 6,gd@ rso2Q Odod O@ orsrg6e @ozocod aeOad qOQzo6 o@oaf oerg oe$OderO 9z6@0

@r eoO

20OO @eB @m

qdOlOd 2lOel

Odo:csd 8or

ge0@ Ees6.

Qeo @r

qg

q6@dod

6qrcod 8{O

ql@cszoOB. DQel mOts

66e 9060

coei>

o@rceorod @: qeo2d @rccd mcocsd oOc,:rgO coeg6csO qeqa) QocS otsrg6z esdcozo qe6@@ cs6Qeod

56008.

oOc,srgO coagbcs @r eoO q:rodo2to

ozead oearQOq OQeo oe@6ts oOroeoJ 86eS @: orO q:codo2to 9p4 Or,:. corgcs OogoJ 0e e6e csd€ OOd

qog

rlOd Ad qccae

OOO ooJ qoJqe6@d Oc,r Ocs@ @r roO oesrq6z Ocs. @dq @r 8o o:g qodoazoO oerg @l

oO:oeol od Oo oesrq6e qor6 Ozg@ 6cs OzOE. coee5Q

56ocd O6oeleo 6zer

SdAd

oog

aadoOQQ o@d 56oc5 @re eSOd oOrcoJ oeelr 6rcooqel 06or eor Ode O@ OQdord

cso2Q

8eu or gd pp@ 9o:6

qo:6@oO@. grq6cs

or

q:rorO

qo6

elzD(6e5t' op). ejcs ocj @e)pte] e)l@ct rscocsoJOq oelgQ eorr6@ es@qlcsd

@oJe

qo 9o;r

esoo8Q, @doJ

oeorOdrrocsd Oel OaOE.

aeOad @r oOcsrgO roe @6ocJ SAUJ rooJooJ O€ele elzQ@ qoIqe6@d Oeoo2 zo6 cop 68ocs5. eo@d Qeozo @r oe5d qe: eorbc,:rgocJ€ COOO Op e,@€t grzor6ocd ela)oOqge6 ero SOocd @rB @rs 23 Oeoql

eleo. eoQd Opocd 6o@er6d qzSo@d @r

OeO6.

@r

qoJee6@ @r eoOq m@er OzO5.

qdo

6r@ocd OQer qoocd o{gp esz@62@ tsSocS 6,oJorboOoJ eOdOrOoJ 0

oO opord 6o(De, qesgorO

gzoO

Ocs. qdracs tso@Of coe@6e AdOr,sd

o$deoeocsd OOrooJ

oeorOeo

greor6oc,:d 6co qedOo@oJ Opocd

olesgtllO 8€Ae

6o@eD

@eol

qOoO5Ocsd ogjoJoeocsdO gOr orr rozd 8cs. Oo@oJ@ Ocs gerool @ @rdzo ogldozocsdO e go:r O6e qoJqz6@d QOlog eseeor,:d elzo.

eg 88exsd go€er. toOe) Qeoeo qoocd@ ela)oOq o@@ @xlazorO Odoe5@ 6o@ercsd g€6od eo6eoOr eoe66@O qoO oe6 oOO: qOeseo @r

ool

csdel O@ 86elcsB. Ocs qSco8d@ gdzo6 eorbc,:c,:d QOg Ocs qoO 86elcsd o@6rd oearoOOr csp @rcrd qoddeorO6.

or6edtscsdod orsrg6r EearOd q, or6e6ncsdord eoOOes@ o{rocsdq,

qobd @QOo cogr 6oc5cs. qO qG@6 ele OoOeo eoe goOeo oqoor6J qEd orsr6,6z

506D q qr6deao6d 96zorOd ocorg 5@6r g qOdog ag qelo qoord@

oglOd Ocs. OE 8@: @ffi@

6AOd oerrOcs. 6aoga OOIO6 86e6e qo:6oJ o€ger 86e 6ld cogrOel q6e d 6r@cs 5@r oeorOcs. 26 Oaq: ger tseotor6 Qocd "@c,:l edd@" OAd e€6od eogi zorOzs 6Oeo:5c,:O@O6. eorc@d @:@5 goO 5csOb6 e€Oeroj zog o@cs gor cs bOzo OrO oOeoeld 8cs. Oo@d@ @: eoO qeco OBd 6Oeor o6el gq

oeixl

ScsO@Og gOe3Otod 6,9Ocs. Oo6zo qzc,: o@oeS @csr qeo.

"qeco @ocod qzpOr @ocd eoqOor

ororB Oocd q Scsg:" "@r qzcsO 8@o:62

oqOtl

25 Oa Qel oeOS Qo(DCS Qoc{ odd

qed, es6r6 6r6cs orO rlOoj Ocs. oo6 OOd OOQ orxSel

oOro6{@cs, oqlO@e)

at Ade8cs. cogr 6er @e)@ oo6 qobd @o:Oel qes6eOd @e@eerl

O6oexo

q (Brokeback Mountain & Tipping the Velvet) 8cs ereoz@ trp AOp A gdOelocS OQ qo:6 qo;6@oOel o6e6Ecsq @r o@@ @8cs 6csel o@rceorcd f @r @eoesO q6b2€) oO. d

ecsrO6 @csr OO qe: oOo 8@codOeo @e

orsr@@d eoeotor6Q elrOzs OeO 9c)O6. OBeo OodeodOcs OocJ ozOd eO eserolcff or"Oc,:6' qe oe @OO O€el OeO zo6el €elcod

oe5r?,

@rlzo tsOeoeod

qOmel 8@ 8ei:@:erO oqeo@ @r

oZg

eo@oelcsoj qrSzo6delO m@d

Ocs.

OA

Op

qlo. QdoSocS@ grors qGo6 oc,5. o@ee, 0e Oe8 @ole

oOrooj oqelrO groc,sJdeo

OzoOdelO

@qQOrOq

Ocs.

trgco eO0O6 oges

tsrzocsd eleo. 6:@cs ObeoOoJcs, oOerq o@d@

qoo

cE65 oelorGao

OrOd Ode,

@ocd

@ gororO Oord 6c,:r"

.

56oc5 6roqdOeo oOrooi AdO O@csd or qoocd AoUO@ e qO66 tseSd

gdool

Acsde Oeo:rseo6 q@deoO ese665. @r

edeor o6€ 6r@csO Qe3@odeod o16

OberOdoOS. 06 0Ao:62 OO @r oOroeo1 OO eeao qe6 elQoJ Ofeo oOelq:O OO: ObeoOdcs. @: qdelr oeorqdel: oO:oeoJ oqeor o@ 88o:6e

odSdes 9Og oO6@d qoO OeOr e@delO or6ooelOr ozdor. Ordcsd, Stlg 6gnod, goO o:@) @er@l ee@o@c: Ogrcelo6rdq zDOQ@ 9p6floJ eo QOe oqts Os: orsO:ql@

8Oor,:@. es6rocogc,:d geood orro6

Voluve l, Issup Prcs

RetNeow News

I

3

erbdero erz@dD oOrceoi @eerl zDOQ@ Og:oorodtde ol @rrrD 06o qeg@ O@d ooog@d Oet SOocoQ. Ogrcerrc6rde erl @t>o 06o qzg@ O@d ooog@d Ogr EOocsQ. ozoOocod @t o@ rsgrod 6@e 27 Oeoql co@6des Qpg o06o@ € eer Qpdo gd gdeo6 qOdOD6. qOoeo, qg6e O6tO5d eo:6e6tsao Oco

8,6e

o:cseaO:od ocs:Orqo@ eoeOod qoO

oSrl QOq Ocs qoO OtgOd oeotOcs OOedefl Oco qood oqgdeld oeo:QOq o{gp el:Od

6gno eoaOo26. OzSOg

aeOad geood

OOgel

og 6€ e6d

'fr3y3oo^-

es6aoco@

qooe5 o@@ oedelO

-%^. -rls ",u

Oc,:.

@66a oo6ocsO 6rooqel 86rs5 elOoJ oeexo, Eere zDol Ood ocooqeo Bbes6. oOd oeelzo rs6zoco@ csOel 86rs5. qd ootg6z eOd O@d Bo 6c,r esOaS o{gp Obdr o6zoo@ O@d qoo O@dzol6 rog Qead. Oc,: gerocd o{gp rsSocd gOoxl Qeo qOesd dOSeo€g Ocs. rD6ereD

o{gp rsScsro qOesel, @l 001060 86 oeOSea.

s@rdO6csd

€ocD

b A",

8Oc,sq OE oestg6z qoJqe6@ O@d @8ot

5aorcco5

We are happy and proud that four of our members represented EQUAL GROUND at the Gay and Out Games in Chicago and Montreal respectively.

Turning out for Track, Badminton and Pool at the Gay Games (July

't5th

- 22'o), Pinto, Amila and Tami did us proud. Rosanna and Manjula presented workshops at the Out Games (29th July 3'd August 2006), while Amila flew our flag high in the

6Ot eoe@ Gay and Out Games qe@6oroO Srorcco}

pO6d

oeeoOtoO

pO6ol ozOzdoOel rs@@o6zocsdod 60r e@g@O qoord o@rdOOcs@

edod g0dO6

tsr@:Ezocsd eso6 oqoelq tseotor6 Ocs. OA€ 8d@Oi tseo q@g EOocd

o6ro ogeor a:oto:6 Ocs. o6xsxlt tseo @oglO 06€ ts@@dpdn oeo es:zoOd:OgO meotor6 Ocs.

@QdO 6 qo Scsg oqeuorsl O@EO 6to ereq@ o@@ gOdOroOQ,

edod OQelo

ge

aD69.

Badminton event. We are proud of them!

A brief history of the Gay Games

Doctor Tom Waddell, a decathlon competitor at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, conceived this athletic event as an opportunity for gay people to demonstrate to the world that their skills and competitive spirits in sports parallel those of the rest of humanity and to show how "normal" gays tend to be in comparison to the stereotypes. He wanted to replace the obsession to win at all costs with the positive joys of simple participation. These games would require no minimum ability for participation. Winning would be defined as achieving one's personal best. Competition would not stress nationalism or age, and men and women would compete on an equal basis. Tom Waddell felt Nationalism was a unity-breaking concept, so athletes were encouraged to represent their city rather than their country. A group called San Francisco Arts and Athletics (SFAA) was formed. Two years were spent in the planning of this event,

which was to be called GAY OLYMPIC GAMES. Opening ceremonies were planned for August 28, 1982,* and TINA TURNER agreed to perform. Three weeks before the opening, the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) obtained and injunction in federal court prohibiting the use of the word "Olympic". The GAY GAMES without the use of the word "Olympic" were held atKezar Stadium in San Francisco on schedule. The Master of Ceremonies was Armistead Maupin, author of "Tales of the City". * Rosanna and Tami were privileged to have witnessed the first Gay Games held

in

San Francisco in August

Doctor Tom Waddell, founder of the Gay Games, died of AIDS on July 11,1987

of 1982

RrrNeow News

Voluue l. Issue I P,qcr 4

e'do: €900

zoor

ILGA

2006

At the reccently concluded International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) \World Conference in Geneva (29'h March 03'd April 2006) Rosanna

tested) to the post of Co-Secretary

I

General of ILGA.

2OOo

@fiq 29q 8O q@dd Ots 3 Oeler

gdOr ESOI pO6 oeOzd Q d:ondo6

f,

Flamer Carder was re-elected (uncon-

At the \World

World Conferenc€,

rs@@odtocsdoceJ ogJzo tspe)oO€

(ILGA)qo@d @tol€6crd Oel o6xsxo

dod@ zo@o{6t Stl6roocsoJ

f-

ts@

odto@ g6coO (Co-Secretary) esoJ tD6 codeor @9. Oc,5 @ gozoroO qei 8c5g@ oqeorO go> qlO@O6csO to6z6n5.

Conference opening

Plenary. Mr. Tenzin Samphel Kayta read a message of solidariry from his holiness the Dalai Lama, we haye reproduced that

Rosanna giuing her speech at the Openirug of the 23'r

letter here.

06

q:6€toeo esQdoO€ Tenzin Samphel Kayta @oo:l 88d g65cs e@B Ot@t o:@docd Oode odESOc: ScsOeo O€.

ILGA

World Conference 2006.

ogOdg ?

cooOq ?

THE TIBET BUREAU OFFICE OF THE REPRESENTATIVE OF H.H. THE DALA

IL.{\I-{

qo(tiOe, 969€16

es@@o6zooJOcs go>r@oj

eDu8b@

qg

m@@o6eocsoS 9d Aeaad es@tdcsd gtlr@d q86z 8Oo 6OtOtoO 6,6e@co@ 6csel OO edod grr)@oJ €dol6 oeD)Otsd o@6ts. @@c,3 tozOzOd@ q@roiAe, q6gtot6 SOel 6OlOd qP

6OrOd OO

MESSAGE

I

am pleased to bring you greetings from His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the occasion of the XXIII World Conference of the International Lesbian and Gay Association.

His Holiness welcomes the special attention given at this conference to religious tolerance and respect for diversity.

Oeo 6o 6dd:Ol6ocj AOO 6lOeD 5@4. 9or6dts ts@@o6eoc,sd SOoJ I 60g ro@reJ@d e d co6Q, 6e€oJ SoOel OOO ocs:csl @coe, q6D. Ood eo@ es@@o6eoojOcs csp qSoocd 8O ozOrl Odeod OO 8@coot GQ@O.

6ddrOt6ced

.o666fl@

gdoJ @ec,5d et) qeslOlern oecod OOO odO qed,ad d 8@Oe qOoO5Ocsd

His Holiness is greatly concerned by reports of violence and discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender

@rodzD rs@re5coO o@c,:

people.

@er)@65

His Holiness opposes violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and urges respect, tolerance, and the full recognition of human rights for all.

o,6eS OOeo 56o@€ eo@@o6todOcs esl@leln 8Oe, 6O:Od OO 8@coo eoeS otOto e€6ooj eDeeDzS er@ Dcs

Finally, he expresses his best wishes for a successful conference.

6rorcO6.

grdeo

Oood@ 9t l@oJ olts6i etl aeOO6 qOOod

es@@o6eocstO esoeocszrJ

Op gao. edee6@ @O)@ttJ a6ebt odzdcsdO oolg qdee6@6. @@ca p@ed eol@lera @ec,od OOO oOtoeoS

zD)@@JOeD

@ecod

eo@6o6eo

8tle, qtl6 er6 ?D)@@de q6tl6@@d @Oco qt>to66 e@e, qtl6 q6tlz@Od o@cs QcoO@ oOdOtocoeo cs6.

Geneva, 30 March 2006

qco

Oe66O

eo@ldc3 o@cs

eSdod o6r6rOoc5

col66ao

oOeodo@ qpO Egoet @ecod et) @@@cod elzSO csel @ec,od OOE elQd oOrceoJ es@@o6eocsd etl ?D?r) Oet 56o@€ o@cs Ood @@ocsd er65O cset @ecod @erlo€, OOO OOorcoo 5)6o:. Place de ia Navigation

Il0l

Geneya

SWTTZERLAND

I

0

Tel. +41 227387940 Fax. +41 22 7381941

Etai

l

: tinet(gbl uervir.ch

lntemet: www.tinet.corr

rs@roo6d

o@co

@:el8o o6jcocsd

cozB

Ot

el@to66.

OeoQd oOrocoJ @xo8zo oooepO6adocd @tlcsO

gpo

rs@@o6odOcs o6icocod @et)OQ, OOO 8@coo tozto.

VoLurrp 1. Issr-rE P.rcr 5

I

RerNeo\\'NEws

OoeooJ es@@o6roO eD68@de, oOtoeoj

oeerlo SoOdelle

beooq@@6O6oCI6'

Odod Oed eseOeOoC@ g6z{q6J @6lg6aO qeolqe6 eszzo orog

Orotgrl@ co6oe)Od

oeoJ @6JcocDzDO ao6coe6@8.

qo es@61@O gOoJ oOd 5600 ate@rolootQ. OO atggoJod OOocd qeerd qe5 oOor ocetQ 5608. OBd goocrl e6g6r OoJod o@ B@OCO OOao tsoolecozl)O

es@@o6rooJOcs 8@Oe qOoO5Ocsd

ool@e6

esz@

oqelt@

@l

eg

esroOt 80@ eeDoteD

SOoJ 8@O

g0

Ocs @6c2Od

oeo6@

9OED rol,@6t@ 2006

g5

@es

3 Oeog o016Z@9 Oeb6 cotgtoOf, qerord

oqObeo qb6r tou@6e@ 5,oJzobeaOd q66oJ es@6el gf. qoocd tot6zo:6 @65OgcsO eeSui erde g@elt goesd @eod@cs q6d qoocd rsz@6e@ odd ocoOcs zooel gf.

D6f

qoocri ocst66cs o6ttsrelt OAoJ qgdoJ eej csoOOtelcsO Od Q q@elt podd eseo Seot@ odelr6del csel est@r8eo6d otolOO eoqdOt @ee, @e. ejEO o6xoxlt tseo Seot@ OBd eoot: oOdOel gq qo6 D@ toor: O@d o60 8c,sg oqeot@ roogerr,s qd6O@e, gf o60 oror oorc@5 eso2Od 086 Bc,:o.

EozO@

d

8o:O@

OOel Dcs 6,elqOB ereo2g odqoeuO @56oJ oeu8Oel

eq6i66

8q d

zD6 or5@O gr,s eo6@

qepOd 5b@ OO o@EQ,eseeDd uDg Gec,3.

66,Oei

8eo@

d.8Qemo eotoOoJ oeoleteOS@O

ogDd

8eo@

oesrcs@

coz@O

@r

e5@

@r

ro6@

@r

Eordoel@

@r

0O oot@d

8erffi@O eso:Q8@O $cs gro 5,6e@ocsd @r g{qdog

oOd qOrozs coegO@O O@ o0:6a QO@ellcseB oodO@O @O @ocd rszOa @56d 9o:6 8O@

eAesbJ 5,erf

@r eragaE

58oOq oeltOgB dr,st

ts@rdcsO Ooc,sd SOoJOoJod

o@

@56oJ oOp qerq o@, @d, rso2O qOrozs csa6

@r o@or5

oeltQ6nt

o@ocd @t QOxsaB

oeuqS@

GROUND HRPPY F IRTHORY

@dqa6

eoeo6

qoOe goJ

qc,sO

qo6

eso2O

o6Derd O6qd q oeroeodelO oâ‚Ź 8q

Ot6

Q @O qOonB oOoJ 56@0

@r E5@ ogrO@

L

gO6n

@ocd gp6r

OO @O oarcd oo5 esOd zo6@ @l @O er6xJcs eo6@ @t Bcsg Oflt elar6 Ozo@O es@@o6eo

EOU

gg6m

@56d ger <o6eodod ozotd eo6dod @o5qeB es@rO Qcs oelxoeS O6gd o6 qeola3 Eordod @dqeB qoe Od @6ocsd cseB oeltEoodod @olqzB

Sgors

i.a?ffi:',

gp6r

0o68 Op qad

q6B

qo6 oleE esdoO

OodoO

odoO OerdoO

EQUAL CROUND'S newest Trustee, Ameena Hussein, cuttirrg the Birthday cake

Also in the picture are Rosanna, Tanti and lndu.

Volutr,rs 1, Issur P,rcE

R,qlNeow Nsws

I

6

Ors6 ceeotseDo OOr 9ei666 ooeSoaScsd e65 @ @ouDl@O Oelo)

?dlgad cag. Asgad d,b!.

eB ts@@r, cse6 6c,:eo o@r6ocsd oOd ro6 o4oCOdod es@ @o6zodOcs

@e

q@der6

esco

d 8@Oe 5c,3@

gOoO5Oc,:d @er)O65

o@

B0tsd

O8dc,s.

oOd zo6 oe6@ qo

o@rJcsO oerdOr ?cs Oo:6.o@ e@d

o@reJcs

2. Eo oOelal csz6

qooe

ts@gbdn Oroocsd qerord moor5q6 oorOeszoOq

gdcaOcsd otorOtsd

qo AAd@ eDooQ corsr coe6@

elo6 eog Ga6. (o@Bd

qeeDd goroftoer 6r,st OAdOod eo6eir

5c,:@reor6ocsoJ

cs@58 g@r6ccozoO

OrdO:es zo6delO

oogo@8.

eoO

oeorqeoeldod qe: o@xJcs 6)@ 6eg)@d 0605 Ooooj

qoO

qeE g6ea

qrOero:zscs

Oroocsd aoJ

og

6a 6Od rs@@o csz6

oeE6

6csel ts@rdcsO o@cs 9@dO qzoeopoc5

opod ero6 56@6.

3.

q66d o@oor@cso5O qerord @o6zooJOcs 8@Ae oor@d eo6e@ OOro: f 00d erpOd eDg 646. eoeS

edOedetO oerrccsd qOa$OrOg 9zo06. OerQoJ qe: eseoOr@ "3 Scsa) oOcJ uD6 or0@ 8@AeO eoorOeo o6deoOOd 6,dg oeorOdod OotS 56o@od gSOgcsd geo0oq56 8oO cszto otog Oo OaOd @rs d oOd eo6 o:e6@O oe@edood oerrcO. qo 8c,:a) oeelr@ d oOd eo6

9d Ozteoaoeo qed

d@ g6eo

rsoOrrscs o@6nd SOcs

csel

csrbOzo 6co

oefl@O qeoe@eoJoorQ. Ooeod ogrOO orO cor "eSoJ e6d qc,: Oocd@B" dcs:

eoe6@ er@6nd Oo OeOS OQd qg @o6aooJOcs 8€OgO 6cs@ qOoO5OcsaJ oelr@z6eo@ Sesr OQd OorS 8o:eo OO Od OQd oelrqdelr

qo6

oerdOr €c,: Go:cs

o@@ oOexdeo@

o:derO qB o600 OdoelQ. 0r,: OdoeoQ. opOO OdelOoJ, Oce OdeoOd a@de, odqO... o@ @Bocd 6,drsrocs d 6c,: eleS BbOB.

csg SOood qSro6d@ 8c,:d oqelt ts@6d oOp eoqr co6@d d 8@Oe OoOOeocs or,soqdelO qOcozs oqcod oelrOel OO qo 9@d@ OOeot cozl 6o28. Oro@ @o6zocsd coeeo es@teJcs 688Ozod eoo: Oeo oeoxo6el OO Eer eseoOr@ oor@d e5. 86@oc,:d @o6zooJOcs

ooo{co@zo oqcsd @ts

oeolaffi.;,d o@co @o6eoO oz8b@ qe:

rs@rdod es@zor

I

gor

tsr@relzs

oqcsd ogts

rszer OoOOeocs oeoJ zotuOeo

oeoxo65. B6@ocsd ool5 aeaefficsd e$OcsoOdeeooc5 ocsf@q esr@teozs AdOcod oe$ tseg6@q OoeS@6. Oorooj 86@ocsd 86@ocsd es@no arl1 aeaeffiad aeaefficsd es@co @o6zo0 oe86@ qas@@tl, qoco5toeo, q6@1016 oqcsdcse6 8€<oe6@O rs@@rl rs@xics gru oa@edotld 8O. Ocsq or@xlr @o6zo otz86@d o@ts 8@codeaO OQd Dcs Odode? 00d EgAd eo6dode? Ood oelr@z6el@ oge, 6c)

gtll@d qocoJtoer, 8@qd

eoercDrr,

qm@@o @csrOd ogesO6.

d

a@

OQd

gq6

Ocs 8€coe6@Oe @z@ oO5. B@Oe 85@Oq qzoe@zCooQ.

d

rs@@o cse6 eogoJOp gOoCooC, ts@re5od OaO

Bbesd qp@o: zo6el

5o: eeo@ ogrO Ozo@ qeo@ 8cs @o2ci. OeJ @roco qqtoOcs oOs{OcsdOe 6.0 Ocs 6o26. 9o@8 toreo:O esaoOr@ eDo)lzDg A026. OoaJ eo@ o@cs cs@@o qes@@o; Ocsocsd oOel oOd og oeoreoed OO qo 9gd@ OOcor <oo GAB. rs@@o6todOcs pogd tsr@xor @o6zo oqcsO eo@

eoe86@d OO es@:dc,sO

el@

qo d

dde

cozdO@O

B@AQO es@xJc,: gepOoJ

qSooc5 @6tsr OqrrO 8@OeO qOoOJOzo6 codelO oo6

zDe

6a6.

q6e6q oOJooJ gz OqzsrO SestoOd gOo eoe6 ee@c,:. (eelo66n Ocooc,:d, 6bcs eoOdcor6cs, og5tocs oaor@ cszB 85@. coor roz5r,:.) d OQd d B@OqO qapOoJ 8@ 6tsrcO6... Oog8d@

es@

@o6eooJOcs B@ae qepOd zo60@ e@d o@ oOp oOd 5b@ qO@ zo9

oa6 Oel qol6 qer eoO EgOeo quDO€A eor qorO66r eo@ gO@ Op geor.

qrd

aog 6dod o@@ qOoOJOcs oeoodeP ts@:dc,: qepOd zog 6dod oeoodqP

o@ B@Oe eO@AJOcod

o@ ogeor rs@@o6zocsd Oel

oelr@e5'

eog

SesreP

1.

qo

eoO

qelzscsdO

es@:6csO

Q6f ororO

c,:eooojO

690 6,ereof

Oco@ Oo6eocod oej@ 88ocsd aa ag aeBt OO @csrcOd Odg eog Oo:6. ed@d @e@e@ere oeo5

g6eeoBd

ese@Er OaJO

SOoJ Oo@d

@e@e@€te o@cs

o@ eoeoO zog eoe6, qe: zD@ Ge

odod O@d 6ocsd oeo qozsrOcozs 5 gc,:oJ ei@6fi . ts@@o6eooJOcs 55 Oo6i6 Q 6OtD Ocs ts@@tl elOdele eD@ Go2 oOrceoi gz Oeo qo:6 go Oor 8c,:O6d oeoi oeoxlOr Ogr SOcs oeord qoocd

csr@-reln

oeoQeleoOoJ

qoO

SSoxsoJ coo 56@0

eozd oelrOeleo6 goooJ Otg o6@ei6rOee eo gbJ O€eo eObd@ gbJ 8€OO SgOp qeo;. rs@r6ocd

8d qocso oea5 qepOd

65@0 OOO o@ @8cs ScsQ el6 elrScsrOd geo6 or@ OotS 56@0 OOO cs@ o6@eoOoj eoer6@d qe6 QOrer@ o@ @8oc5 9@zo@ e696x

9d

gQOo5odc,:...

ogJooC 05Oo @6tsrO.

eso:r

EQorOrO o@d@ coto ozorgcsO q

Seeood SOoJ 8o@ q65c:d q.a. o@ ese@ oqcsSd@ og€O c,:@ o@ooO6oJ 8goO. o@Jeocs oZO OOO Obcood @56d oO5.

eO gO6eo q:corOd, Oglooro6rdoZe 8OO oO. o@@ Scsd @eQrl or@ grcorOd etl Ogrcorc6rdA eQ zD6 coeS@O o06 g6el qo6 ese@ oqeuO@ Ozo eot 8o@oJ@ OOoi

ts@relO o@ oqem S@co@oJ q erO6.

oe6o{ 56ocsd gztl.

oOo{O:co@

4. qooj

zo6@d qe:

0z096 86tsd OO tso; 8Od Oel gdoe6d OO

qed ozOS@O trElo;@ Opoc5 qdor g6csdO OOr @xl8toO 8Ot Ae@d SOoJ Oeo o:O@oJ Sozstpqg @r

Voluue l. IssuE I Pece

RrrNsow NEws

7

q65csd gO: oelr@zd eJeo oeo:Odl@cod

Oe,

es@@o6eocsd (Eza(fr. es@ @o6zo g6zeocod cod eog 06 gO:eo godg @e?Dd qr66 6.6. DoJ godqcsd cs@:eln

q6e. oeggcoe6@Oq, oz86@0 g eoz@zoJord edOA. gd godqcs zordorlOd o@d qeg ozgg coz6@O q eoz86@Oq eoe@eojod qdOB. @r o@6 tseod zo@ oqOeo godqcs es@re5ocd coe6g@ OgO OzO Ooocsd B6@d

@eD@o.

o@lQd gede eoe 6o:Oo2oSocodq oOl eog erxeogdq, a6etu o@6 es@re5ocode roe6g@ OeO 9pdr €@O cad6csd oeor@e6 Ogordcs oxs@ qOmoexs eoOxoeSo@

o6

frao4rloosdcEt

@@ts

codeo:

qof oOd

orood QOe eoed qOrroeocs @600 q o@Qd oz@d 8g6@ Oel eordor: co6 go'ea6n odq oo:O ocoel qlcirDerc5eD esr@xlzs B6@ocsq zo6el 6o5eo€zoO o@:Qd

ooJ6r coe6@ q O6gcs. OOeOd o@rQd OeO Ocoocsd Ogr8o> S6zerdncs, qreol6 88@, @el:@csd eoz6cozds@, qzg@ @eS@ Oe6 6Z5cs: OgO ocsrQO@ Oge Oroocsd

qtd,e ae6a.

gor@oJ O@O O oeOdOd AO g@d@ OOO 602co. a6e6a6O qz6 o@@ cozOdO gor@d q86eolOcsO od Oel OO qoO eoQoO OO o@cs

gor oeorQd qeod. OoQg eogOgO Sd6ncsd coz6@O oOr eo@erelxo:6O Oesqoe6@ o@: gor AgE... OO 9@dO OOO eoqelrcoo Gt;J6. OOO qOrozs O@deP

o6oci SooJ el@ qpOe 588Ozod SOxo OderO oeuoqQ. @de csoJ OO OAd oOd o6eScsd eo: oOtoeoJ 86tsd 600o: 0285. OorS@ OO gorr Oro:g coeOrD esQocsd qz6

es@ @o6zo o6r6cocsdc,seB OOO

zo6 coderO q66r

Do@d@ ee@rdco oaxr6@ oaa6

ogts

o@:QoCO

oarrd

o6elOre c:deo. erzOpOoeoroJ o@rQdO "elo6" "qdzor" csor O8O el@ oOOe@@O e o600 oelrcO. elQg OQd o2g q65 oz6c,:r qo-coo:@ S8Qelcseo qzco6@O gd oelrzo66. o@rQd OzO Ooocsd ordolodO A@r Q OadSdOe 6c,:ger q o@rQdord "eDeo6eDCS)"

O@ o5oedpcsed6

6Oe

g8drcsdocd eoeSc,s:Od

o6csr csB. o@rQd @5@6eOd oeuO, qoJqol 8Od ozorOtsal oeltO, gd Scsa)oqeu o@d Od, qrO, o@, eleo6, O@d tszg@

ed

@6ed oaorOdmscsS. ts@ @o6zo oeoOs, or@ Sqoee qOron ogm qn55 Oe,6. elQd es@@o6eocsd o@

Sn - o@r6QO oOroeoJ o@@o6eo

oeo:Odxocsd Acs €O eorS zo6 coz6@O oOr ocsrQ oO.

qdoo:

OdelO 09 ro66. d oeeor @r eoO 6csd o: qa;r@ro5od gao. @r 9o) qtstoer?Dr6 orojojOcsO odO EOel OzOd OoOd 8@oZ6r oor@ @O OOxo

gxo:Od

or@r

qg 86otoro

gdcoeBd ocoel o@

eoO coe6@ m@ @o6eo eJeloeorOd:tscoO pqtoOrQ qerxoo:csd qer;reB OcdOxscsoJ qe6 a6 coe6@O gO odOtod eo@esr oeB.

28 a ot6e6ocod. Ocses 16 8O 86@d rs@co o@6cd @o6zo0 eoe8O qzer. d@cstJ or Ooed eor86 erzo. Ooe,5 eoaSoddelO eoe@edod e a.a. @O8csd

@@ Ocsrs

o';JsJ eso

gdc$

The Views expressed by the contributing authors are not necessarily the views of EQUA.L CROUND and are subject to inlerpretation.

o@es OOteo O@

eoedOdO

SOxoocod er6d qo o@@ eoz86@ 6OIOO @oer coe, qo6 06€ @:el8toO OOO oOroeo5 rozOe) OeO 9pdr €@O AgoOO. OOxo O oQd AOoxs qQ@ zo6ocoeo 6,rsrOoc:d OOxocs ozogO6 eo6<od rs@@o6ro o6e6'ccsd oO:oeoi oqoeod qo qot6 8O. qood Eeo;e5 Odod OO oe@O8csdO eoeS el@ n,6ro@ OOeor f OQdO OO B@OqO eepOo1 zo60@6. SoeS db@O q86z o;@ q@d oeo5 odo:Od @etl6l@coe, OO OOreoc,s o6dO zo6@d 8O er6 zogzo OOxo oeltOel OOO OQdO eep@ €@E OOO Oeflg6 6,ooqd qOozs el@ qoocd gdoOel eouDCoO eoOr eo6 qo Q6r coe8 o@ B@Oe OaOg6 esxoOegr eog eozScs. OO oOpoOd

oa5Or,:56@0

Sqeoes E@r zo6 co6) eec,s. AOE6 o@Jeooc5 6OOd ts@@o6eocsd BEcoeS@tsi Ag eo6el qo6 OQdocsI OOrc;csdq Sorzslpts2g a6 qza. OOcS gOdnorrOcsd

66ar;r":d

gdOd. qo ooord 8o:od

@@

qo gt>) oe@zo5oorQ.

qQ6zg 18 to o6afficsd Oel

qo6

oO@oJ

qOzsroelod ocsoq@. @r eoO qz6 corOa)O el@ @ocd 8o116 58@ ofedrocsd oroo66 oz6@d ge6 oenOeo qor6 @od ocsoeo@c,:d OQdocd oo@Oo2d cozel aoO:

o,6de @ocd 8oO qeoeodod @r OQdod ee@re5csO q65 elzS oaooelal 5csl6. @r ge5tsel otzdcsd gQ 8O 66oO6d OQd oecs O@eo qo6 OQd eo: aoOr Od qxor6od o:oJoJOcsd Scsr oeoq) oqdel. Plt - zoOOor-

Voluvp l, Issup Prcr 8

I

RetNeow NEws

Oo0 gdeoc,: grDl@d rol@)err AgOOd OO oO@d o6e6nOoc5 eg zDl@@d SOel OeOd eo: OO to@je3co 8@Oe oO@d oOrceo5 o{ oeo:gdeor OzOd OOO o@ roeOe)O qe1 8 qeo.

qoO

qroeaeo q:eo:6ceO OO rs@@o6ro o6e6Bcsd oro5 {O @o6zo o,6effics5. o@ 8@OeO 58odd@ Ocsd qe5o6 coo oeotge qtl6

got@d eol@)srr ogcs6 OO oOg6Od OO 8@AqO O@bcoexso ocsogdeo. OOO 58odd@ o6a6rr,:d oroo68 qxobro6ccod qe6 oeo€dod eo@ OO cs@@o6zo eotdotOS o@ q:zor6oc5 uoldotOd @lo6aD ts@:doc5 oOrco5 80 OQd d 8@AeO 6csd o6oeO@d

Ocs

qe6

oeorzo6oaoel

go:@d est@:eor ogo 88ocs

qreo:6 Q o6zdBcsd

0OO ool6q6e

o:

ocoeo

eoOtOo db@O qOcoo eo@

qoO

csB OAO d @c,sdeo qe:

eseic,sdel@

Adam and

Steve

-rinkerbe,-

"l was given a medal of honour for killing two men and a discharge for loving

one" - Oscar Wilde

Picture this. A young couple walking hand -in- hand, exchanging sweet nothings and gazing into each others eyes, as through nothing else in the world mattered. "Ah, young love ...." many would exclam. "How lovely!" Now just take that exact same image and subsitute one of the two partners with one belonging to his / her own sex.

They may as well be volunteering to be burnt at the stake. Numerous allegations would be thrown their way of flaunting their sexuality or promoting lheir' lifestyle. Heterosexuls are free to talk about their spouses or dates. They can wear their wedding rings, display pictures of their loved ones on their desks, kiss good-bye at the airport, include their signficant other in company parties and so on. A gay person who chooses to do the same may be seen as a troublemaker or a radical homosexual out to prove a point.

Lives of gays and lesbians are as varied as the lives of heterosexuals.

Some choose to live in long term - commited relationships; others choose to remain single. Some couples choose to raise children, others do not. Hobbies, Occupations and activities are just as varied as within the heterosexual

population.

or couPtes (gaY all Shoutd "tir,gnO have to disclose

-';;;

to

sexuat Practices to ensttre that the wortd' to the i(s in adherence taw?

What the majority of people mean when they say that homosexual

people should keep their lives private, is that homosexual people

should keep their lives secret. Contrary to popular belief, homosexuals are no more inclined to be consumed with sexual thought or

feelings than their heterosexual counterparts, nor are they attracted

to everyone of the same sex they meet!

So why is there this great cry made by society whenever the issue of homosexuallty is raised? ls it a fear of change, an anger derived from ignorance or is it purely choosing to be in denial of its quite apparent existence?

Don't get me wrong, l'am very God fearing, faithful Catholic and am aware that the church doesn't quite approve of homosexuality. lt's quite ironic through isn't it, how there are so many everyday things that are condemned by

VoLuur Pacn

l.

Issue

R.qtNeow Npws

I

9

the Bible such as the consumption of alcohol, having tattoos done, lying, committing adultery, stealing etc..., that the common man easily overlooks. ls this because society tends to adhere to a type of unwritten rule that enables them to continue certain practices which they deem to be less sinful than others or what?

Call me old fashioned, but I wasn't aware that there were different degrees of sin under God's law. Neither was I aware that the Bible had given the majority the right to use their own discreation to decipher what falls under the category of sinful and what should not. It's either all or nothing if you ask me, so, if one is to interpret the Bible literally, word for word, the choice is all yours. But it's not as easy as you thought huh?

A word to the wise: ln our selective pursult of what we consider righteous, let's not overlook one of the most fundamental values upheld by the Bible - "love your neighbour as yourself". Cliche as it may sound, this is one Commandment that has withstood the test of time, as there's no room for interpretation. lt is as it is. I firmly believe God loves us all, irrespective of caste, creed, religion and even SEXUALITY. Jesus spent most of this time with the downtrodden and the outcasts of society (as started in the Bible). He loved each and every one of us for who we were, not what we were.

I should add that most of us are ridden with severe bouts of 'convenient amnesia'. This enables us to remember only certain details and data that best supports our cause.

It's not just about religion, the random

in our country it's also against the law relationships. Section 365 of the Penal participate in homosexual acitivity under partake in unnatural sex.

fi hers

,,il1)EER'.' ' he's

no good

'homophobic' atheist will tell you that to partake in homosexual activity/ Code makes it a criminal offence to the basis that it's an offence to

Ever wondered how many heterosexual couples indulge in 'supposed' unnatural sex? What then? Should all couples (gay or straight) have to disclose their sexual practices to the world, to ensure that it is in adherence to the law? I think not. Then why the double standard?

Does anybody pay any heed to the number of lesbian/gay suicides in our country? Well, maybe it's time we did, cos' each and every one of us 'have blood on our hands'. Why you ask? Because we, the masses make up society at large. We discriminate againest those different from us. We ostracize them from the

rest of society. We virtually drive them to their deaths. i

As kids it's inculcated into our heads that Heterosexuality

= Normal and Homosexuality = Abnormal. Therefore, we grow up in an environment of 'Black or White;'there are no grey areas.

lr I

He might be the most helpful neighbour, the most caring brother, the most duty conscious employee, the most loyal friend or the most loving partner. But, if he's "QUEER" , he's no good.

\,i

!.

r\r ['

,,li

'/'

1 1

I .fn-+

; \.;rz

Voluvs l, Issue PAGE

I

RerNsow News

l0

GAY IRANIAN TEENAGERS REMEMBERED Two gay teenagers were publicly executed in lran on

19 July 2005 for the 'crime' of Homosexuality. The Youths were hanged in Edalat (Justice) Square in the

city of Mashhad, in north east lran. They were sentenced to death by Court No. 19. lran enforces lslamic Sharia law, which dictates the death penalty for gay sex.

One youth was aged 18, and the other was a minor under the age of 18. They were only identified by their initials, M.A. and A.M. They admitted - probably undertorture, London-based gay human rights group Outrage! suggests - to having gay sex with each other, and that they were not aware that homosexulity was punishable by death.

,:f"'::ffi,t

Prior to their execution, the teenagers were held in prison for 14 months and severely beaten wilh 228 lashes.

Demontrations and vigils were organized all over the world on July 19 2006, the first anniversary of the public hanging of the two gay lranian teenagers, Mahmoud Asgari and Ayaz Marhoni. Groups in Amsterdam, London, Marseille, New York, Provincetown, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, Stockholm, Provincetown, Washionton D. C. staged demontrations, vigils, or public events July 19, at the call of the Persian Gay and Lesbian Organisation (PGLO). The initative was sponsored by the lnternaiional Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO), the lnternational Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA), the lnternational Gay and teibiun Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC), the Biritish gay rights group OutRage and the Swidish groupTupilak. These demonstrations are intended to help call attention to the homophobic reign of terrior, which the regime in lran is inflicting on its lesbian and gay citizens and as testimony of the soildarity of all gay communities worldwide with their persecuted lranian sisters and brothers.

q66tod a6o6t6d oqoqol 2005

9,6 19 Oeoe) g6teaocd

@6d @otCI elco6ocff

es@@odeooJOcoO erQO@ @e@e@ere Ddet @6t

Ocooc,:d glOl@ o,6e6tt;soi e@er Oâ&#x201A;Ź

(E6csl q6o66cco

'aAatl g4rg,rrla dgwa r4roozl

NzeS'

o6e6o@coQ Ocoeo 18 Oel qo6 qoeld o6e6rcs: Ocses 18 O eO g{cogoc,:6 oeoeerl @xs 14d 96r q6e@ oea6Q,@ oge gd zo6@d odoeucor6 ao uo6 5oO

Od

rroâ&#x201A;Ź OOd

OOO esoOOtel dzo6l6O 2006 gO 19 Oea e,l OdOt @6t q@el gq o@toeo3gfl qeSco$ eseo qcs:d @ooi6 o,6e6t:r,d @e@eerl 86 eo6@d g6t6noc5 qo eo@@o6zo oest66e ool66codO Do66O EgOea gOdOdOcsO 0o660 oog o6oe:e, @g og5zoc,:

96l

Voluus l. Issug Pacs

I

1l

LOieA

*loya

After almost ten weeks in Sri Lanka, I am slowly preparing to go home. My time here has been spent doing and seeing some incredible things, and l'm truly grateful for t[e opportunity I had to come and work here. When I arrived on 7 May, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. My time in the Repbulic of Ceorgia as a volunteer and my international development class work in America had not covered the realm of lCAftq issues in development, something I have been interested in for quite some time. So I jumped at the opportunity to intern for the summer with an LCBTIe organization. Now, nine weeks later, I know quite a bit more about LCBTIQ issues in development, as well as life for the LCBTIQ community in Sri Lanka. Something I was completely clueless about before. I am throughly impressed with the passion and dedication of those of you involved in EeUAL CROUND : staff, trustees, members and volunteers. While Pride 2006 was not my first or last here, it will most definitly "*p"ri"n." stand out in my mind as one of the most powerful. I am lucky to live a country that, while not perfect for homosexuls, allows us to live without fear of imprisonment, extortion, or harassment by the police. But even with those threats in Sri Lanka during Pride I witnessed a group of individuals, who were able to celebrate their identities without the shame that society oftentimes inflicts on the LCBTIe community. lt was during this week that I saw the definition of the word community breing truly displayed. I was very pleased to see such a large turn-out at pride events, and was equally as pleased to see that sucess turn into an incresed membership in EQUAL GROUND. Having worked with numerous facets of EeUAL cRoUND, I know that there are many things to look forward to in the future and many ways in which this organization can have an impact not only in the LCBTIQ community, but also in Sri Lankan society at large.

This is a beautiful country with an amazingly diverse landscape and extremly hospitable people. I believe that with time and effort, the goals of organizations like EQUAL GROUND wili be achieved, making it easier for everyone in the LGBTIQ community to enjoy the wonderful things that Sri Lanka has to offer. I Jnticipate hearing of the LcBTIQ community's many sucessses over the upcoming years. Cood luck to all ll!

-Hope Harrison-

For

all Your Rainbow 'PRIDE' Products

T-shirtsoCapsoMugs We can take orders

fi,

ory promo item as well I

E-moil : groycot@sltnet. lk

Mobile: 0722-254348

CICP PRIDr

Voluus l. Issup Pace

1

12

EQUVL GROUND

Send us your contributions: poems, stories, ond orticles. Emoi! us or Fox us!

'To advertise in IBAINIIO$r NIIIITS Call us or email us.

Tel: + 94-11-5679766 Fax: + 94-11-2682278 Emai I : bu I leti n@equal-ground.org