Rosanna Flamer-Caldera is an internationally recognized LGBT rights activist based in Sri Lanka. She was the co-secretary general of ILGA until 2008 following her re-election at the Geneva world conference in 2006.

Waking up on the morning of September 6, I thought I was facing yet another humdrum day in Colombo. Good news is always so few and far between when it comes to gay rights in our part of the world. Then came the news from India, the blaring headlines, the joy in activists’ voices — this was a moment to cherish, and also a moment to reflect. In scrapping Section 377, India has done at last what should have been done many, many years ago. Better late than never, however. I can’t applaud LGBT activists in India more. Saying congratulations just doesn’t seem to cut it. It just doesn’ t seem enough.

It has been a long and arduous road for the LGBT community in India, as it has been for practically all of us who have lived under the yoke of colonial-era laws that have criminalised and marginalised us for over a century. By no means did I think it was going to be an easy ride on a smooth, even road to decriminalisation in Sri Lanka where I am fighting to repeal the laws that criminalise me (lesbians are criminalised under the penal code) and brands me as a third-class citizen in my own country.

Being L, G, B or T has never been an easy ride for anyone in Sri Lanka. When I first started Equal Ground in 2004 and declared our intention of fighting discriminatory laws and policies, I heard several members of the community say that I had no right to rock the boat and make things difficult for them. Read more via Economic Times