When it comes to LGBTQ+ issues, Sri Lanka was very much in the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ era. We all knew gay people and they were usually welcome in families and institutions and did not suffer any major overt discrimination, as far as I was aware. It was well known that many prominent politicians were gay without it being a factor in their public life.

But there were few people who were out. That seems to have changed recently. As is often the case, in times of instability and chaos, old taboos start to crumble and this week saw the first Pride Parade in Colombo that was organized (I think) by the people involved in the mass demonstrations against the government.

First-ever public #pride March organized in #Colombo. #GotaGoGama's effort to change the public perspective about lots of things is remarkable.#ColomboPrideMarch #PrideMonth #Pride2022 #GotaGoHome #GoRanilHome #LGBTQ #අරගලයටජය pic.twitter.com/yhWJMQNMWb

— Prasad Welikumbura (@Welikumbura) June 25, 2022