Statement from Saakya Rajawasan on Recent Events Regarding Disciplinary Action Taken by Colombo International School (CIS)
Monday, 08th October 2018
My name is Saakya Rajawasan and I am a final year student at CIS. This is my statement about recent events which lead me to be given demerits, detention and be banned from all extracurricular school activities. I am also being threatened with suspension despite my excellent academic record. Three years ago I left a local school to join CIS. I was very happy because I thought CIS would be a far more progressive environment.
At that time I asked for permission to wear trousers instead of the girls’ uniform. I identify as bi-sexual and gender-fluid so wearing trousers is a way of expressing myself. Additionally, wearing trousers instead of a skirt gives me more freedom of movement, and protection from dengue. The school administration told me that changes in the uniform system were unlikely.
A year later I started wearing trousers as I feel most comfortable and myself in them. When I wore the trousers, I always wore it respectfully, as I considered it a privilege to do so. My classmates were very supportive. In fact, several female students voiced envy at my increased mobility, but none followed my example, fearing parental anger or school punishment.
At end of this July the school administration informed me that I was qualified to become a prefect. However they said they couldn’t give me the position because I wear the boys’ uniform even though I’m a girl. They said that if I wore the skirt, I could become a prefect. I replied, "I'm honored to be considered for the position, but I won't give up my trousers or my identity.”Conservative voices may define LGBTQ+ only as a sexual choice, but at my age, it’s much more about identity and I believe wearing trousers asserts my identity.
This September CIS had its fashion show, a very important event, especially for graduating seniors. I wanted to wear a rainbow cape as a symbol of pride and solidarity. The school told me that I couldn’t since people might get offended and the school couldn’t endorse a political statement. The next day I gave them new designs for the cape, including a multi colored tie-dye pattern which is obviously not a political symbol and would have offended no one. I was willing to compromise with the school and would have been ok wearing any of my other designs. The school rejected all of my compromises. A few days later l was banned from getting on stage at the fashion show.
Having no purpose for my rainbow cape I draped it on my bag. The head of sixth form came up to me and said, "Please remove the flag,"several times. I politely smiled and said, "Sorry sir, I can't," each time. Then he asked me to tuck it in so that it looked like a bag cover, which I did. He returned with the acting principal, who again asked me to remove the flag. I replied, "Sorry, I can't." They gave me the option of either removing the flag or them taking my whole bag. I handed them the bag with the flag still on it. They considered this to be rude. Later I heard rumors that I threw the bag, which I did not do. I was brought up to yield when necessary but never to bow my head. The next day my father, Dinesh Rajawasan, a 1983-90 initial adopter of CIS, was hand-delivered the infamous letter, which claimed I was guilty of “unacceptable and irresponsible behavior.” He promptly framed and hung in our house titled, “Patriarchy's Willing Executioners.” ( referencing Daniel Goldhagen)
The school had further banned me from all extra-curricular activities. On the day of the school anniversary (September 29th) I had to deliver food to the environmental stall, as I had agreed to do so previously. I knew that I couldn’t attend the anniversary but I still needed to honor my responsibility. When I tried to make the delivery, security stopped me at the gate. The security guard took me to the principal who showed me the letter again. I didn’t say much; I just apologized. I don’t want them to think I was being rude or trying to break the rules. The security then escorted me to the gate and made sure I left the school. Being escorted off school premises like a criminal felt very dehumanizing.
Personally teachers and the acting principal were supportive but they still have their "job to do.” This feels like cognitive dissonance to me because teachers and the acting principal have always told us that they will support us in our choices, but when I most needed their support, they were unable to give it to me.
Additionally, I believe that my stand is important not just for me but for coming generations of CIS students. This Huffington Post article (m.huffingtonpost.co.uk/ianjohnson/lgbt-employees_b_7064114.html) states that there is an increase in productivity of around 25% when closeted people are able to come out. Being supported in my choices by my father and my friends was a strong factor in my near perfect examination results. Closeted people spend so much of their time and energy building a lie that they often cannot achieve their full potential. Being allowed to be myself has given me the strength to be an exceptional student. I can only hope for the same kind of support for future LGBTQ+ students that CIS will undoubtedly either consciously or unconsciously be admitting.
In fact, if CIS aims to assist students in prospering in international universities where issues of gender identity and sexual orientation are treated with great liberality, it is essential that the school prepare students for those conversations and climates. Pretending that various sexual identities and orientations do not exist does not serve students who will invariably be forced to confront these realities in foreign contexts.
I want to deeply thank everyone who has supported me. The outpouring of support has been so heart-warming and heartening. I believe it will mean a great deal to closeted young people who might be watching. I believe that we, together, are on the right side of history.
I have always been proud to represent CIS and know that together we can create positive change. As Martin Luther King said, “The arc of history bends towards justice.” India has already overturned its colonial era law against homosexuality. It is only a matter of time before LGBTQ+ rights are taken seriously in Sri Lanka. I hope CIS joins us in this important matter.
I firmly believe that if outdated rules are not challenged, society does not advance. People always need to break from the status quo before society evolves. Until Kathrine Switzer broke the rules and ran the Boston marathon in 1967 it was illegal for women to run marathons. Until American women protested in mass and were incarcerated for it, it was illegal for women to vote. My own stand is obviously a tiny step compared to those of these heroic women, however, I stand by my dedication to my own identity and choices.
- Saakya Rajawasan
