Queer Activism and empowerment on social media: A study based on Northern Province, Sri Lanka.

Abstract

New social movements and activism have been established across social media around the globe and this can be seen in Sri Lanka as well. The LGB- TIQA+ community of northern Sri Lanka has a different culture from other places in Sri Lanka in that they work together forgetting all boundaries of class, caste, education, and other factors for a better future. Equal Ground, Venasa Transgender Network, the Community Welfare and Development Fund Sri Lanka, Chathra, Equite, Anichcham, Eastern Queer Collective, Voice of Queer, Sanyog, Jaffna Sangam, Jaffna Transgender Network, National Transgender Network, Voice for Equality and Voice of Edge are some of the LGBTIQA+ organizations in Sri Lanka. Jaffna Sangam and Jaffna Transgender Network are the main organizations that fight for queer rights in the northern part of Sri Lanka. Using observation, surveys, and in-depth interviews, this study analyzes data on how LGBTIQA+ activism and empowerment function on social media in Sri Lanka and the impact that is created through such activ- ism. Qualitative and quantitative methodologies were used for the analysis. Social media content was analyzed, and queer and non-queer activists were interviewed. The findings of the study indicate that the activism and exposure of the LGBTQIA+ community through social media had many positive impacts. Social media have created space for activism and empowerment through disseminating information about queer people, hashtag movements, social media groups, and more even, although LGBTQIA+ activists faced different challenges while they carried out their activism.