• Equal Ground Founder Rosanna Flamer-Caldera on being named in the ‘TIME 100 Most Influential People’ list

When speaking of queer rights activism in Sri Lanka, few individuals have made as indelible a mark as Rosanna Flamer-Caldera. As the driving force behind Equal Ground, one of the oldest organisations championing LGBTQIA+ rights in Sri Lanka, Flamer-Caldera has dedicated over 25 years to the cause. Her tireless efforts have not only put LGBTQIA+ issues on the national agenda but also garnered international recognition, including her recent inclusion in the prestigious ‘TIME 100 Most Influential People’ list.

Flamer-Caldera’s journey is a testament to her unwavering commitment. Despite spending 15 years in the United States, she chose to return to Sri Lanka, driven by a desire to fight for the rights and dignity of her fellow Sri Lankans. Her identity as a Burgher, a minority in the country, adds a unique layer to her advocacy, underscoring the intersectional challenges faced by marginalised communities.

Equal Ground, founded by Flamer-Caldera, stands as a beacon of hope and resilience for Sri Lanka’s LGBTQIA+ community. The organisation has been instrumental in pushing for decriminalisation of same-sex relations, providing support and education, and fostering a sense of solidarity and pride among LGBTQIA+ individuals. Under Flamer-Caldera’s leadership, Equal Ground continues to navigate the complex socio-political landscape, advocating for equality and justice.

In conversation with The Daily Morning, Flamer-Caldera shared her experiences, challenges, and the relentless drive that fuels her mission. From the impact of international recognition to the intricacies of intersectionality in activism, Flamer-Caldera’s candid reflections offer a deep dive into the ongoing fight for LGBTQIA+ rights in Sri Lanka.

Following are excerpts from the interview:

Finding yourself on the prestigious ‘TIME 100’ list alongside global powerhouses, how has this recognition impacted your drive and the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights in Sri Lanka?

Honestly, it hasn’t changed much. I still have the same drive, passion, and focus on what we are doing for LGBTQIA+ rights in Sri Lanka. This prestigious accolade from TIME is the icing on the cake, but it’s not something that will propel me into doing something different. For us, it’s business as usual. I’m very happy, of course. I think I might be the first, or maybe the second, Sri Lankan born and raised to receive this recognition. It’s quite an honour, but I don’t really know how it happened. I was contacted by someone from TIME and said I might be on the list, but it was all very uncertain until it actually happened!

How did the Sri Lankan queer community react to this news?

I received a few congratulations via email and WhatsApp messages, but by and large, I don’t think many people fully grasp what this means. The recognition places a spotlight on me and the movement in Sri Lanka, but it doesn’t fundamentally change our approach or objectives.

How do you plan to leverage this international platform to further your cause?

We’ve been leveraging international platforms for the last 25 years. This recognition is nice, but our primary focus has always been to work with the Government of Sri Lanka and organisations associated with it, like donor agencies, the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the United Nations (UN). We’ve been lobbying these organisations and the Government to make necessary changes for 20 years now, and we will continue to do so. Nothing has changed; we will continue to do the work we do.

The fight for queer rights intersects with other social justice movements in Sri Lanka. How do you see these movements working together to create a more equitable country?

The movements are collaborating more now than before. I remember in 1999, when we formed the Women’s Support Group (WSG) and decided to join the feminist movement on Women’s Day, we faced resistance. The feminist movement didn’t want us there, but we had to stand our ground and say that if you consider yourselves women, you can’t marginalise other women for who they love. Since then, things have come a long way. Most organisations now understand that working towards an equitable Sri Lanka means not marginalising anyone based on any differences.

Looking back at your journey, what has been the most significant turning point in Sri Lanka’s queer rights movement that you participated in?

For a long while, we were working alone. From 2004 to 2015, the internal conflict was ongoing, and we had different governments. A significant turning point was the statements made at the UN, such as the universal periodic review (UPR) of Sri Lanka and the declaration by the Minister of Foreign Affairs that Sri Lanka would decriminalise same-sex relations.

This was partly due to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) committee ruling in my favour on my case and the introduction of the private member’s bill.

However, despite these advancements, progress has been slow due to a lack of political will.

How do you handle situations where there is opposition to decriminalisation from influential figures, such as religious leaders?

We are used to being vilified by different factions. There seems to be a political agenda behind this opposition, especially with elections around the corner. These attacks often peak during election times as political figures use the LGBTQIA+ community as a stepping stone to further their careers. We counter these attacks with positivity, engaging with our supporters and reinforcing our commitment to our cause. Unfortunately, this trend of religious opposition to LGBTQIA+ rights is not unique to Sri Lanka; it’s happening globally.

There is a growing conversation around intersectionality within the global queer rights movement. How do issues like caste, religion, and class impact the experience of queer people in Sri Lanka, and how does your activism address these complexities?

Equal Ground has always conducted its work in all three languages and across various districts. We do not make any demarcations based on language, skin colour, religion, or ideology. Unfortunately, some factions within the LGBTQIA+ community do try to divide people further, which is counterproductive. We believe in inclusivity and unity within our already marginalised community.

When conducting awareness workshops, how do you manage language barriers, and do you think the participants receive the full benefit of these workshops?

If we conduct a workshop in a Tamil-speaking area, we conduct it in Tamil, and the same goes for Sinhala-speaking areas. When we have mixed groups, we provide instant translations. It’s not feasible to conduct separate workshops based on language alone. We strive to be as inclusive as possible, ensuring that no one feels further marginalised.

You founded the Women’s Support Group in 1999. What were the biggest gaps in the support system for lesbian, bisexual, and transgender women in Sri Lanka at the time, and what has been done to address those gaps over the years?

In 1999, there was a significant lack of awareness, education, and space for LGBTQIA+ women. The existing organisations focused mainly on HIV/AIDS interventions and didn’t fully address the needs of the LGBTQIA+ community. We wanted to move away from solely accepting HIV funding and focus on broader issues.

Our first goal was to educate and sensitise our own community to stand proud. Secondly, we aimed to cultivate allies by conducting sensitisation programmes with the general public. Lastly, we worked towards decriminalisation and the implementation of policies that ensure equality and equity across all government departments.

While WSG is no longer active, do you see a need for similar organisations focused on supporting queer women in Sri Lanka? How should these organisations adapt to the current social and technological landscape?

Absolutely, the more organisations, the better. Since 1999, and particularly between 2017 and 2024, we’ve seen a significant increase in LGBTQIA+ organisations and activists. More visibility, more organisations, and more activism will only strengthen our movement and drive home the need for equal rights for all citizens.

The Supreme Court has ruled in favour of decriminalising same-sex relations. What are some noticeable changes within the community since this amendment?

It’s challenging to gauge the full impact, as the community is large and diverse. However, there has been a noticeable increase in openness and a shift in attitudes, especially in corporate circles. Companies are changing their human resources policies to be more inclusive and are actively participating in events like Colombo Pride. We’ve also seen increased engagement from other civil society organisations and the medical fraternity. However, there is still a long way to go, and change often comes slowly.

While decriminalisation is a major step forward, marriage equality is still not legal in Sri Lanka. How does the lack of marriage rights continue to impact the queer community, and what strategies do you see being most effective in advocating for marriage equality in the future?

Decriminalisation is the first step; marriage equality is further down the road. It’s hard to advocate for marriage when we’re still struggling to decriminalise same-sex relations. But once decriminalisation is fully achieved, marriage equality will be the next battle. It will require sustained advocacy, public awareness campaigns, and international pressure to achieve this milestone.

The fight for queer rights requires a multi-pronged approach. What role can international collaboration and partnerships play in supporting the queer community in Sri Lanka?

International collaboration has been vital to our efforts. Partnering with global organisations helps us gain visibility and leverage support for our cause. It also provides us with the resources and knowledge needed to navigate the challenges we face locally.

PHOTOS Venessa Anthony