Priyam Collective

Priyam is a collective of differently talented persons with a spectrum of identities emerging from the multifaceted context of Sri Lanka. It is an open and fluid platform to connect, resist, share, shape, and grow. The collective was formed in 2018 by queer and feminist activists from the North and East of Sri Lanka, to continue their work with persons with disabilities, trans* and intersex persons, women and members of the queer community. They believe that alongside experiences of oppression, exist powerful stories of resistance, some of which the Priyam Collective proudly produces. They also believe that the understanding of resistance must move beyond the traditional and dominant interpretations, and it continually evolves. The overall wellbeing of the community has been shaken once again by the responses to Covid-19 in Sri Lanka. In the context of Covid-19, the community suffers from the financial dependency that makes them more vulnerable and reliant on abusive households and relationships, fewer job opportunities during the pandemic, especially for persons with disabilities and the trans* and intersex community, increased social surveillance and pressure to conform with dominant normative practices of society. Priyam Collective is committed to supporting members of the community and documenting the experiences of oppression and resistance in the context of the global pandemic.