Companions on a Journey
Companions on a Journey (Conaj) began in 1995 as a group of individuals concerned about issues of discrimination against persons of alternative sexual identities. ConaJ aims to contribute towards creating space and an environment where society will accept, respect and support people with alternative sexualities (gays, bisexuals, lesbians and transgenders) to live in freedom and dignity. As the first gay organisation in Sri Lanka,for many years Conaj has worked as a pioneer on the issue, conducting an uphill struggle in a society with deeply rooted socio-cultural and religious values that rejects homosexuality. Like many LGBT organisations in countries where discrimination of LGBT people is strong, Conaj has combined its programmes for LGBT with work on HIV/AIDS. The main activities of ConaJ include: operating a 'Drop-In Centre' where counselling and peer support takes place; lobbying for the repeal of discriminatory sections of the Sri Lankan Penal Code; undertaking general public awareness and education about people of alternative sexualities and people living with HIV/AIDS; distributing culturally sensitive safer sex messages; and developing collaborative relationships with people living with HIV/AIDS as well as with relevant CBOs, NGOs and government agencies. An external evaluation held in 2006 has pointed to a number of characteristics and achievements of Conaj. A great merit is that it has works with gay people and PLWHA communities from the socio-economically disadvantaged segments of society. Although much remains to be done with respect to legal reforms, Conaj has made the issue of homosexuality visible and more acceptable in Sri Lanka. It has created space for LGBTs to express themselves and has paved the way to discuss sexuality issues within a broader context of human rights. Conaj stood at the birth of the organisation of PLWHAs, Lanka+, and the National AIDS Coalition. From Conaj other LGBT groups emerged. Throughout the years Conaj has linked up with LGBT organisations at the regional and international levels too. Conaj has nine staff and 35 volunteers. It has a working committee of 14 members (9 staff members and 5 area representatives). It has an advisory board of 9 members, 5 women and 4 men. Hivos has supported Conaj since 1996, for its aims to empower discriminated sexual minorities in Sri Lanka and for its pioneering nature. Hivos continues to do so because Conaj is still the most important reference point for LGBT issues, nationally and regionally, and renews itself in order to increase the effectiveness of its empowerment and advocacy efforts.
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