Starting with a 3-day film festival on May 30, the first ever LGBT South Asian Film Festival organised as part of Colombo Pride 2007 opened with The Journey (Sancharram) and Two Men in Shoulder Stand at the Barefoot Gallery Caf.
Created in 2004 to level the playing field for all citizens of this country, Equal Ground's mission is to eliminate the stigma and fear attached to homosexuality in Sri Lanka and encourage equality for all sexual orientations and gender identities regardless of ethnicity, religion, class or culture. Pride in Sri Lanka therefore is not only necessary, it is an important step in obtaining acceptance from a narrow minded majority that clings to archaic laws imported from Britain to criminalise and ostracise a minority purely because they dare to be different. Pride also serves to instill a sense of pride and belonging within the 'gay' community of Sri Lanka giving them a space to be 'who they are'. Photos provided by Equal Ground.
Knox, writer, director and producer of Two Men in Shoulder Stand was in Sri Lanka for the first time and presented a unique workshop on safer sex and overcoming shame using theater games, movement and discussion. The workshop took place on Saturday May 26.
Happy Hookers a documentary on Mumbai's transgender commercial sex workers and Dangerous Living a documentary on the LGBT human rights activists in Asia were shown on the second day of the film festival. Closing the film festival were two light hearted comedies A Touch of Pink, a gay movie about boy loves boy and Chutney Popcorn, a lesbian movie about two girls and a baby, which kept the audience in stitches.
Also on offer was a theatre piece by Bolo Theatre - the only gay theatre group in the country. The thrilling addition to this presentation was Gratiaen Prize winner Visakesa Chandrasekaram who performed his own Curry Time Stories.
The Colombo Pride 2007 party held at H2O on May 24 attracted over 300 partygoers. An organiser of the event commented: "Not everyone was gay or lesbian at the party, but everyone managed to have a great time without prejudice or fear! This was one of the amazing things about this PRIDE festival that gay and straight rubbed shoulders together, drank together, ate together and never once did anything untoward happen. It really goes to show that people can live in peace and harmony if they put their minds to it."
The festival culminated in an energetic and colourful celebration on the beach - the Rainbow Kite Festival and sundown dance. A stiff sea breeze ensured the kites would fly and over 100 people from all walks enjoyed the sun, surf and some fabulous retro music pumped out by two rocking DJ's. The festivities continued till quite late in the evening. Kites flew high, spirits soared higher and Colombo Pride came to its conclusion on a positive and very high note! A good time was had by all - the message of Pride was heard loud and clear - and Sri Lanka we hope that in this present climate of tension and fear, we do get together - United for equality!
Fridae is proud to be an official sponsor of the festival.
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