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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-
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