Rainbow -colored heart hidden in "closet" | Asahi Shimbun Digital Magazine & [And]

This is a series of beautiful photos and texts that glittering stories like jewelry found by photographer Akiko Ishino on Sri Lanka.The eighth is the life story of a woman who launched a non -profit organization that appeals to the protection of Sri Lanka's first sexual minority LGBTIQ.She realized that she was a lesbian, and once gave up living in Sri Lanka, and she went to San Francisco, America.At that time, San Francisco was full of heat movements by sexual minorities.She was moved and returned to her homeland.

"I came well," was welcomed by Rosanna Fremer Caldera (65 years old).Her monotone shirt and a simple outfit called denim looked great for the tall Rosanna.Her gaze looking straight at her blue eyes is strong.She felt she was not intimidating and she was warm.

When I handed a bag with a cookie as a souvenir, he received a joke, "Isn't it a bomb?"Why such a joke?When I looked over the room, the LCD screen on the side of Rosanna's desk was always reflected on the images of about 10 security cameras installed on the premises.This is the office of Equal Ground, a non -profit organization for Sri Lanka's first sexual minority launched by Rosanna in 2004.

Rosanna realized that she felt more attractive than men when she was a teen in her teens, where many people experienced her first love.But no one was confused to that feeling.In the 1960s Sri Lanka, the word gay and lesbians were known in urban Colombo, but homosexuality was a crime, and I could not admit that I was so much in my heart.

In 1975, Rosanna, 18 years old, moved to San Francisco, the United States, where his cousin (cousin).She was difficult to find a place where she could work in Sri Lanka, and she couldn't even affirm her inner heart.In the United States, homosexual liberation movements have occurred since the 1960s, and San Francisco in the 1970s was at the forefront of its activities.There was a Harvey Milk, who was elected to the city council while professing homosexuality, for the first time in the United States.

Rosanna's cousin took her newly migrated her to the lesbian bar, noticing Rosanna's heart."It was very comfortable. Everybody loves people, regardless of the same sex, and all the sexuality was regarded as one personality, and everyone was alive."

In a place far away from Sri Lanka, Rosanna was finally affirmed that he was a lesbian and one person with human rights to be respected as a natural body.In 1978, she saw a parade with Rainbow Flag*, which symbolizes a variety of sexuality, for the first time.If you raise your voice, something will change.Rosanna's heart grew.

*Rainbow Flag: In 1978, an artist Gilbert Baker was designed by Harvey Milk, and a flag that symbolizes the dignity and rights of sexual minorities.

Always have boxing gloves in your hand

In 1990, Rosannah, who missed his homeland and his family, left the United States, who spent 15 years while involved in human rights activities, and returned to Sri Lanka, and finally came out to his parents."I wrapped me in a thick cushion that I love you as it is. Thanks to that cushion, I can always move forward, but everyone has that cushion.It's not that. "

When Rosanna returned to Japan, the environment surrounding Sri Lanka's sexual minorities was still poor.Police assault and money demands are everyday, and the family is forced to marry the opposite sex, but it is hard to believe, but the treatment is forced to use sexual activity.And there is no work.This is because it is largely due to the law of homosexuality (exactly the same sexual activity between the same sex), which was enacted by the United Kingdom during the colonial era more than 130 years ago.Before that, in Sri Lanka, there were kings of homosexuality, and the gender was very diverse.

The laws created by the United Kingdom can only be changed by the voting of parliamentarians.However, if the problem is made, it is a parliamentary member to be ridiculed as gay."Somehow diversity has receded."The revision of this law has become a major driving force for Rosanna to launch an "equal ground.""I don't want you to enjoy the fear I felt when I was a child. Is there such a sad thing that I can't live myself in a single life?"

Harassment of organizations from people who have negative values to group activities, slander (hibo) slander is unimaginable."Sometimes I was dragged down from the car, and my office was devastated."So that number of security cameras in group offices need that number.I remembered the joke of cookies.The battle is still going on.

"I don't know when words and things will fly, so I'm always feeling boxing gloves in my hand. So, sometimes I punch a strong word. If you're quiet, anyone will notice.Not. I have to break the closet that people who want to live like this glove are driven. "

Rosanna's "closet"*is a metaphor called "a place to hide secrets", a situation surrounding people who are silent in their own sexuality and those who are not confused.It was a word born around 1950 from sexual minorities.In order not to be hidden no matter what personality you have, a world where all people can freely speak will come.The name of the organization "Equal ground (equal earth)" has such a wish.

*"Closet": "Coming out" is the etymology of Come Out of Closet.

In time, and from now on

The Equal ground offers free psychological counseling, employment for independence support, and distributing materials to understand sexual minorities.In a workshop that appeals to human rights equality in various places, if you want to participate but are interested in sexual minorities, participants may be discriminated against.For this reason, it is designed to naturally touch sexual minority information by interweaving discrimination that everyone living in Sri Lanka, such as poverty, religion, and vocational caste, has felt close.

When the workshop was opened in a town where many workers live in the fisheries and salted fields in the northwestern part of Sri Lanka.Rosanna was worried about a woman.She stares at it but has no expression, and she doesn't make a slight movement when everyone applauds.Around 11 o'clock that day after the workshop, I got a phone call.He was the woman.

"My son is gay. I was trying to drink poison with my son. But I was able to understand your story and understand my son. I am proud of the son who confided.Thank you very much. ""I thought so in time. In Sri Lanka, which emphasizes family connections, understanding the family will be a great help for the parties."

17 years after the launch of the organization, the younger generation has taken over Rosanna's courage and seeks for what can be done for the future."Even the older generation is gradually coming out, and the number of people who support me beyond the sexuality frame has definitely increased," said the daily crystals that have been accumulated.He told me to be there.

"The Sri Lanka government is pursuing valuable human resources by ignoring the presence of minorities. It's the same as shaving a part of your body. Eliminating minorities is a personality.Losing diversity. If you lose diversity, it will be a stuffy world that will monitor each other. "Rosanna keeps going on a road without a hardship.For those who are looking for help.

Behind Rosanna, who put on a rainbow boxing glove, many rainbow flags are fluttering.

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