Item Summary

OCLC: 1528570375 Abstract: “It is estimated that approximately 19.6% (753,973) of the adults aged 18-years and older living in Colombo, Matara, Nuwara Eliya and Kandy in 2017 are lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender. The population was divided into a total of six strata based on ethnicity then the method of Simple Random Sampling was used to select the sample. The survey of 470 adults aged 18-years and older revealed that majority of these LGBT persons face stigma and discrimination in government services including education and healthcare. Some have also been physically attacked and verbally abused in public because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression. Stigma is deep rooted, and even though only a few, some LGBT persons themselves feel that they are mentally ill (8.7%) and/or abnormal (3.3%) because they identify as LGBT. However, even though the law criminalises consenting sexual relations between members of the same sex in Sri Lanka, no LGBT person believed they should be punished by law because of their sexual orientation.”

Conclusion - "Although the estimated percentage of this study is significantly higher than that of similar studies in the United States and the United Kingdom it proves that LGBT Sri Lankans do exist and are living in Sri Lanka. Approximately 19.6% (753,973) of the 3,846,800 adults 18-years and older living in Colombo, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Matara identify as LGBT. The vast majority of these individuals have faced some form of challenge or barrier because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression. They are discriminated against even in government services such as healthcare and education. They are marginalised in employment and housing by being denied access to both. LGBT persons face violence and harassment because they do not conform to heteronormativity and some are faced with internalised homophobia. The attacks on LGBT persons because of their gender identity/expression and/or their sexual orientation is cause for concern and must be of importance to government and those who develop programs and strategies concerned with strategic development. All Sri Lankans deserve not only to be treated with dignity and respect, but to also feel safe and protected within the borders. Government is responsible for putting in place measures to protect ALL of its citizens regardless of the fact that they may not fit into the majority. It is necessary to first accept that LGBT persons exists in Sri Lankan so that policies and services may be improved to meet the needs of this community.”