Sri Lanka just took a decision on whether to legalise homosexuality
Sri Lanka’s top politicians have taken a decision on legalising homosexuality.
The cabinet met yesterday to discuss proposals to decriminalise same-sex acts.
Currently same-sex acts, by a person of any gender, are illegal under Sri Lankan law.
Households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for any the protection given to married couples.
Some private clinics in Sri Lanka claim to be able to “cure” patients of their homosexuality, despite the fact its widely recognised same-sex thoughts can not be changed by therapy.
Sri Lanka’s Daily Mirror reports that cabinet members decided to reject plans to decriminalise same-sex acts.
Instead they agreed to place a provision in their new Human Rights Action Plan.
The plan says it will seek to stop discrimination based on sexual orientation.
However many have been cynical of the plans – pointing out that all LGBT rights being illegal is clearly discrimination in itself, and people are unlikely to respect LGBT people when the law doesn’t indicate they should.
However some ministers have even protested at such a mild change in the law.
It’s reported some ministers protested at yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, claiming it was “yet another surreptitious attempt to recognize homosexuality.”
There have been many reports of Sri Lankan LGBT activists being abused.
Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Barker, Vice Chair of Parliament’s APPG on Global LGBT Rights, found that data threats were frequently sent to activists.
A group known as “The Island Nation of Sinhale” (Lion’s Blood), has become notorious for spewing radical ideologies intended to incite discrimination, hostility and violence against LGBT people.
The group previously wrote: “Faggot activities aren’t legal.
“Let’s take the law into our own hands.
“If the police aren’t going to do anything about it our community is ready to do it ourselves.
“We will not let these mother f**king dogs to ruin our culture.”
