Battling stigma and discrimination, Malaiyaga Pride cuts a pioneering path in Sri Lanka

June 23, 2025

The article describes the first-ever Pride event organized by and for the queer Malaiyaga Tamil community (also known as Hill Country Tamils) in Sri Lanka's plantation regions. Organized without external funding or support, the event represented a groundbreaking effort by a community that faces multiple layers of marginalization based on their Tamil identity, socioeconomic status, caste, and sexuality. The Pride event aimed to create visibility and celebrate the intersection of their queer and Malaiyaga identities, challenging both invisibility within broader LGBTQ+ movements and the criminalization of homosexuality under Sri Lankan law.

Who is affected

Queer members of the Malaiyaga Tamil (Hill Country Tamil) community in Sri Lanka
LGBTQ+ youth in rural and estate areas with limited access to healthcare and support services
Transgender and intersex individuals facing barriers to gender-affirming care
Queer Malaiyagathars from historically oppressed caste groups facing multiple layers of discrimination
Families and communities in the Malaiyaga region navigating changing understandings of gender and sexuality
Local residents of Hatton and Nuwara Eliya who witnessed the Pride event

What action is being taken

Organizing and conducting the first-ever Malaiyaga Pride event in Hatton, Nuwara Eliya
Community members self-funding the Pride event by collecting small donations (Rs. 500-1,000) among themselves
Police providing security and protection for Pride participants
Allies from other districts, activists, feminists, and youth leaders traveling to attend in solidarity
Local community-based organizations providing logistical support for the event
Creating visibility and sparking conversations about LGBTQ+ issues within the Malaiyaga community

Why it matters

The event addresses the invisibility of queer Malaiyaga Tamils who face intersecting marginalization based on ethnicity, class, caste, and sexuality
It challenges Sri Lanka's Penal Code Sections 365 and 365A, which criminalize homosexuality and fuel discrimination
The Pride event represents the first time many queer Malaiyagathars could openly celebrate their identities in their hometown
It creates representation for a community historically excluded from broader LGBTQ+ movements in Sri Lanka
The grassroots, community-funded nature of the event demonstrates self-determination despite lack of institutional support
It opens conversations about LGBTQ+ issues in an area where queerness has been misunderstood or silenced

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Global Voices