Reality of Adventure

Sri Lanka is often sold as a LGBT friendly destination but actually in reality our experience was quite different…read as follows.

I am fully aware that LGBT rights and beliefs vary dramatically across the world with it still being an arrestable offence, even carrying a death sentence, in some countries. We, unsurprisingly, have always avoided these places, have been incredibly subtle about the fact we are a couple and generally tried to avoid the conversation if we can. When it’s just been the two of us, sisters or cousins as a response usually goes unquestioned.

However, travelling with ‘two babies’ in tow dramatically changes things for us. All of a sudden you are discussing the fact you are travelling for one year and you’re all stood there as a unit and then the following happens…

SL: ‘Two babies?’

Me: ‘Yes!’

SL: ‘Twins?’

Me: ‘Yes! Very different!’

SL: ‘Your sister? Friend?’ Points to Kel.

We aren’t going to lie in front of the girls so here goes nothing!

Me: ‘No, my wife.’

SL: ‘….oh….wife?’

Me: ‘Yes wife, we’re married.’

SL: ‘….’

I get it, they don’t understand, it isn’t part of their culture and harassment of LGBT members hasn’t long been decriminalised (2017.) As mentioned, it’s often marketed as LGBT friendly and we weren’t victim to any harassment but we are discreet and respectful of local laws or culture. Maybe they have more questions but the language barrier becomes a gaping void and thus the awkward silence (for them) ensues…

And repeat, every day (sometimes several times a day) for the full 6 weeks of travel around Sri Lanka.

Sometimes you can interchange sister, with friend, cousin or even Grandma for the couple of people who were clearly very confused and very brave!!

By the end we just answered no when they guessed wrong…

SL: ‘Your sister?’

Me: ‘No’

SL: ‘Your friend?’

Me: ‘No’

SL: gives up…

It wears thin and you end up trying to avoid any kind of interaction with the locals or waiters (females don’t really work in hospitality) because you know what conversation is coming. The girls are so confident in our family unit and we don’t want that to change so the trailblazing will continue and we will see how we get on in Nepal 🇳🇵

This website offers a quick overview of LGBT rights and censorship across the globe: https://www.equaldex.com