Bridge to Equality

BRIDGE to Equality (BRIDGE) is jointly implemented by DAST, National Transgender Network Sri Lanka (NTNSL) and Young here Sri Lanka Trust (YOH). It is the first ever joint venture by three organisations that work with and led by LGBT communities in Sri Lanka. BRIDGE is supported by the International Commission of Jurists.

The overall goal of BRIDGE is to prevent SOGIESC-based human rights violations (HRVs) from occurring in Sri Lanka, and to ensure greater access to justice, accountability and redress when they do occur.

The project aims to;

Support the work of and strengthen the capacity of local activists, lawyers and human rights defenders (HRDs) in understanding domestic and international legal frameworks for the protection of rights and advocate for the repeal of discriminatory laws;

Increase awareness among judges and other legal professionals about SOGIESC-based violence and discrimination to ensure duty bearers protect LGBTI rights and lend support to advocacy related to repealing of discriminatory laws;

Support a core group of local LGBTI organizations and activists by building their capacity to understand international law and standards relating to SOGIESC, safely document cases of HRVs against LGBTI people and advocate for change using existing national and international protection systems;

Engage the wider human rights community and public opinion to address discriminatory attitudes towards LGBTI people with the aim of bringing about greater acceptance and understanding of LGBTI people as rights holders.

Project Partners

Young Out Here Sri Lanka Trust (YOH)

Young Out Here (YOH) Sri Lanka Trust is a youth network committed to bring about social awareness and effective services to young people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) and young key populations (YKP) in Sri Lanka. YOH currently works in partnership with a number of community-based organizations to establish SOGIESC equality in Sri Lanka, as part of its mission to mobilize young people of SOGIESC identities and YKPs to defend their human rights and create platforms for youth voices at the decision and policy-making levels.

National Transgender Network Sri Lanka (NTNSL)

National transgender network trust of Sri Lanka established in 2018 is a non-profit trust, advocating and providing support for transgender persons in Sri Lanka.

NTN is supporting trans persons to access medical services and document change process in Sri Lanka, Documenting Human Rights Violations targeted at LGBTIQ individuals, providing on education on HIV and STIs, Distribution of condoms and lubricants, provide consultation services, legal aid & temporary accommodation facilities for trans people and psychosocial support and gender identification services.

Diversity And Solidarity Trust (DAST)

DAST is community-led technical support facility providing services on addressing meaningful community engagement and participation, strategic information development, capacity building, and advocacy for effective, rights affirming, gender transformative and sustainable HIV, SRHR, and Human Rights responses in Sri Lanka. DAST envisions that marginalized and vulnerable communities in Sri Lanka including but not limited to those living with, affected by, and vulnerable to HIV, TB, LGBTIQ communities, young people, and women and girls are at the centre of health, SRHR, and Human Rights responses.

About us – Bridge to Equality

The project aims to;

Project Partners

Young Out Here Sri Lanka Trust (YOH)

National Transgender Network Sri Lanka (NTNSL)

Diversity And Solidarity Trust (DAST)

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