Jaffna Tamils celebrate Pride Month with annual Rainbow Pride Walk

^{Photo credits: Jaffna Pride (via @jaffnapride)}

As the world's LGBTQ+ communities commemorate and celebrate Pride month, Jaffna Pride's annual Rainbow Pride Walk took place last weekend. 

On Saturday, members of the Eelam Tamil LGBTQ+ community mobilized to advocate for equality and social justice for those of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities in the North-East. 

"We emphasize that all who live in this community are socially responsible and will speak out against the oppression of the LGBTIQA+ community towards a non-oppressive life." - Jaffna Pride 

^{Photo credits: Jaffna Pride (via @jaffnapride)}

The march took place from 9 am to 11 am, commencing at the Jaffna bus stand and culminating at the Cargills Building Complex. 

^{Photo credits: Jaffna Pride (via @jaffnapride)}

^{Photo credits: Jaffna Pride (via @jaffnapride)}

State violence, intra-community discrimination, an absence of political allyship, and negative media representation are among a litany of threats facing LGBTQ+ communities in the North-East.

In a scathing year-end report, the Human Rights Watch has detailed the ongoing marginalization and state-sanctioned oppression of LGBTQ+ peoples on the island: 

"Same-sex relations are criminalized in Sri Lanka, and a law banning “impersonation” is used to target transgender people. Authorities use these powers to harass, detain, and extort gay, lesbian and transgender people, who also face societal discrimination."

^{Photo credits: Jaffna Pride (via @jaffnapride)}

^{Photo credits: Jaffna Pride (via @jaffnapride)}

While successful LGBTQ+ events have been held in the south and Sinhala-dominated spaces, there have historically been few and far between in the North-East. In the last few years, however, there has been some progressive momentum. 

^{Photo credits: Jaffna Pride (via @jaffnapride)}

^{Photo credits: Jaffna Pride (via @jaffnapride)}

^{Photo credits: Jaffna Pride (via @jaffnapride)}

^{Photo credits: Jaffna Pride (via @jaffnapride)}

^{Photo credits: Jaffna Pride (via @jaffnapride)}

In addition to the Saturday march, Jaffna Pride has organized a number of events through out the month of June, including a short film competition, virtual photography competition, short film screening, community dinner, and panel discussion.

Jaffna Transgender Network celebrated on Twitter stating:

Happy PRIDE for all. Let's celebrate the pride month of June.
We are pleasure to share the event agenda for Jaffna Pride -2022 with you all.#JaffnaPride #JaffnaPride2022 #Pride2022 #HappyPride #Jaffna #LGBTQ #SriLankan #Tamillgbtiqa #HappyPrideMonth pic.twitter.com/olYAfnmJAb

— Jaffna Transgender Network (@Jaffnatgn) June 3, 2022

In 2020, Tamil Guardian spoke directly with LGBTQ+ activists in Jaffna to document the lived realities and daily struggles of the community.

Read here: Tamil LGBTQ voices face even greater risk in Sri Lanka.