LGBT Activists Moving Towards A Positive Life…

For too long the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) persons of this country have been marginalized and discriminated against due to their sexual orientation and gender identity.  Hard work by LGBT activists is slowly & steadily paving the way towards a positive life for a minority group of people that have been deprived of so much and so unjustly for far too long.   Colombo PRIDE is the chance for LGBT persons and their supportive families and friends to come together in celebration of their lives.  This is an opportunity for the LGBT community too, to stand up tall and be proud of who they are regardless of all the negativity and discrimination they face on a daily basis.
This year’s Colombo PRIDE kicked off with a reception for donors, sponsors and well wishers of past and present Colombo PRIDEs.  The British High Commissioner John Rankin, the Canadian High Commissioner Bruce Levy, the Swiss Ambassador Thomas Litscher and the Norwegian Ambassador Hilde Haralstad were among an intimate gathering of dignitaries and prime supporters who heralded the launch of Colombo PRIDE 2012.  Held at the newly opened Design Café – by Andre Estefan, Colombo PRIDE 2012 was officially opened to welcome applause by the gathering.  The highlight of the evening was a montage of blown up photographs of the bold and innovative Life Times magazine’s June issue for PRIDE.  The brainchild of Radhika Philip and Pradeep Maharaja, LT decided it was high time someone did the ‘right thing’ by the LGBT community and dedicated its June issue to Gay Pride in Sri Lanka!
The LGBT youth leadership workshop held at the Berjaya Hotel was graced by Patricia Butenis who reiterated her country’s support of LGBT rights worldwide.  Over 30 young participants spent the day learning and interacting on issues affecting the LGBT movement in Sri Lanka and what is needed to become future leaders of a fast growing worldwide movement.