• Youth Activist Collective member Dinushi Halloluwa on challenges, myths and the need for change

As a country grappling with the pursuit of human rights and gender equality, Sri Lanka is still on its journey to ensure equal opportunities for all its citizens. However, for members of the LGBTQIA+ community, like member of Youth Activist Collective Dinushi Halloluwa, the right to work remains a distant reality. In conversation with The Daily Morning Brunch, Dinushi, a passionate activist and survivor of workplace harassment, shed light on the challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals in securing employment and advocates for change.

Challenges in human resource management

Dinushi began by highlighting the flaws in human resource management that contribute to the violation of the right to work for LGBTQIA+ individuals. While many private and public sector companies possess codes of conduct aimed at preventing workplace harassment, these guidelines often fail to explicitly address the concerns of the LGBTQIA+ community. Gender equality, despite being mentioned in these documents, is frequently overlooked in practice.

Illustrating the issue, Dinushi shared the distressing experience of a close friend who secured a job at a prominent magazine. Despite being an LGBTQIA+ activist and a queer person, her workplace was rife with individuals harbouring stereotypical beliefs. “One day my friend found a bunch of people at work criticising and mocking queer individuals on social media. She had the courage to speak up and explain the reality and diversity of the LGBTQIA+ community.” When she bravely challenged their discriminatory behaviour, she faced ridicule and exclusion. Shockingly, even the senior editor, upon discovering her queer identity, suggested she undergo a so-called “conversion” to conform to cisgender, heterosexual norms. “Instead of fostering understanding, her colleagues mocked and laughed at her, pressuring her to distance herself from the LGBTQIA+ community to protect her job. Eventually, she had to give up her job for the sake of being herself,” she told us.

Dinushi emphasised the need for transparency and accountability in companies’ codes of ethics and policies to safeguard the basic human rights of all employees. She underscored the importance of creating inclusive workplaces where individuals can express their authentic selves without fear of discrimination. Dinushi’s plea is for every company to uphold and assure the fundamental rights of all employees unequivocally. “There should be transparency in each company’s code of ethics and policies, ensuring the protection and assurance of basic human rights for all employees. Companies must create inclusive environments where individuals can express their authentic selves without fear of discrimination,” she stated.

Family pressure and myths

Sri Lanka’s deeply entrenched customs and traditions pose another significant obstacle to the right to employment for LGBTQIA+ individuals. Dinushi highlighted the influence of conservative families and relatives, who often subject their LGBTQIA+ children to conversion therapy and force them into unsuitable professions. As a result, these individuals suffer from depression and anxiety, unable to pursue careers that align with their passions and talents.

Dinushi drew attention to the detrimental impact of common myths and stereotypes on the right to employment for the LGBTQIA+ community. Specifically, she addressed the belief that transgender and gay individuals are destined to work in fields such as makeup artistry, beauty, and fashion. While this stereotype may seem positive on the surface, it restricts the career choices of those who wish to pursue other professions. Disturbingly, instances have arisen where trans individuals have been expelled from companies due to the absence of proper legal documentation.

Dinushi questioned the inclusivity of Government regulations that fail to address the rights of gender non-conforming, gender-fluid, and non-binary individuals. “The existing constitutional safeguards in Sri Lanka should extend to every individual without exception. It is crucial to implement legal reforms that protect the rights of gender non-conforming, gender-fluid, and non-binary individuals in the workplace. Neglecting these marginalised groups jeopardises their right to employment,” she pointed out. By neglecting these marginalised groups, society risks denying them their right to employment. 

The call for constitutional change

Dinushi called for a constitutional amendment in Sri Lanka to ensure the protection and assurance of the right to employment for the LGBTQIA+ community. Recognising that the existing constitutional safeguards guarantee human rights for all citizens, Dinushi asserted that these rights must extend to every individual without exception. By implementing legal reforms and fostering a supportive environment, Sri Lanka can pave the way for true inclusivity and equal opportunities for its LGBTQIA+ citizens.

As Dinushi eloquently shared her experiences and shed light on the challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community in securing the right to employment, her call for change resonates with the urgency of the situation. It is now up to society, organisations, and the Government to take proactive steps towards creating an environment that celebrates diversity and ensures that every individual, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, can exercise their right to work freely and without discrimination.