SL's First Trans Candidate Aims to Break Barriers

Chanu Nimesha is contesting Sri Lanka’s parliamentary election on Thursday as the first openly transgender candidate, hoping to forge a more inclusive and tolerant political culture on the South Asian island.

Transgender people are estimated to make up about 1% of Sri Lanka’s 22 million people, according to Equal Ground, a local civil society group. They frequently face social rejection, lack legal protection and have almost no representation in political parties.