Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer and questioning (LGBTIQ) persons in the hill country-based Malaiyaga community of Tamils of Indian origin do not have adequate access to support mechanisms in cases of harassment based on their gender identity and expression and also sexual orientation.

Stressing that this is a pressing concern that needs to be addressed, activists in the area claimed that in addition, these persons face various other issues due to social, religious, cultural, and economic conditions unique to the area. They raised these concerns following Sri Lanka’s first hill country LGBTIQ parade which was held last weekend in Nuwara Eliya in celebration of the LGBTIQ Pride month (June).

In this regard, LGBTIQ activist and Aruvi Malaiyaga Queer Network’s Director Dharmaraj Lidurshan Avilash claimed that in a context where LGBTIQ persons are anyway a marginalised minority, hill country-based LGBTIQ persons face various challenges, some of which are worsened by casteism and religionism prevailing in the area. He told The Daily Morning that compared to other parts of the country, LGBTIQ persons in the area are disadvantaged in terms of education and the economy, which he claimed has added to their plight.

“Cultural and caste politics are prevalent, and they affect these persons to a great extent. Many in the area believe that it (diverse gender identities and expressions and also sexual orientations) is something that comes from the Western culture and is related to activities of non-governmental organisations,” Avilash observed, adding that the Malaiyaga LGBTIQ persons having more of an Indian identity and less of a Sri Lankan identity has also exacerbated the discrimination against them.

Adding that the Malaiyaga LGBTIQ persons have had to seek organisations and support mechanisms centred around Colombo in the event of harassments since there is a severe lack of such support in the area, Avilash alleged that conversion therapy is also prevalent in the area and that it takes place mostly in religious settings as opposed to medical settings existing in other parts of the country.