COLOMBO, July 5, 2007  –  It was the most the most awe-inspiring moment of my life!

Those were the words of Rosanna Flamer-Caldera when she returned to Sri Lanka after a trip to Canada where she was International Grand Marshal of Toronto Gay Pride last month.

“It was an amazing and unforgettable experience,” she exclaimed.

“What struck me most during my two weeks in Toronto was how accepting and tolerant Canadians are of each other and the diversity of cultures, sexualities, genders, ethnicities and religions that live within their borders.

“They have a unique formula in Canada, one that should be bottled and exported to every other country on this planet, especially countries that are embroiled in bitter feuding over one thing or another, and especially countries such as ours that still continue to criminalize consenting same sex relationships.

“Canadians know the true meaning of equality and respect,” she added.

Ms. Flamer-Caldera is a founding member and executive director of Equal Ground, Sri Lanka’s only ‘mixed’ LGBT group.  She is also currently the female co-secretary of the International Lesbian and Gay Association – one of only two South Asians to have held the position.

Speaking in Toronto, David Anderson, the co-chair of Pride Toronto, said: “We’re continuing our efforts to highlight Queer [LGBT - lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender] rights around the world and promote the work of grass roots activists like Rosanna.  She embodies our theme ‘unstoppable!’ in her dedication to advancing Queer rights and create a society in which each of us is respected and valued.

“We invited Rosanna to Pride Week to celebrate her international work, to encourage Queer [LGBT]  activists around the world to continue the battle for equality, and to teach us all about her work with Equal Ground and what we can do to help,” he added.

Ms. Flamer-Caldera said she was elated at the thought of leading the Pride Parade in Toronto as International Grand Marshall.

“Turning on to Yonge Street at the head of the Parade, all I saw was a sea of faces and cameras…all pointed in my direction.  Fortunately my sunglasses masked the tears that streamed down my face – it was just unbelievable!

“The million-plus crowd greeted me – and the rest of the parade – with so much enthusiasm and support, cheering and whistling all the way.  It was the most awe inspiring moment of my life!”

During her stay in Toronto, Ms. Flamer-Caldera presented a Human Rights award to Little Sisters’, the Vancouver bookstore, for being in the forefront of the fight to protect freedom of speech and to print, publish, import and distribute material to the LGBT community at a ‘black tie’ fundraiser attended by the Premier of Ontario Dalton McGuinty and the former Minister of National Defence and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bill Graham, and others.

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