25/10/2025
LGBTIQ+ Inclusive S*x Education Prevents Abuse and Disease
How Silence on LGBTIQ+ S*xuality Harms Society
Why do increasing threats target children, youth, elders, and even Buddhist monks today? Why does the government face constant accusations and pressure from both opposition forces and the public? These tensions reveal a deep-rooted fear and shame surrounding discussions of s*xuality—particularly LGBTIQ+ identities. But is this merely homophobia, or does it reflect a broader culture of s*xual hypocrisy that denies people the right to understand, express, and discuss their natural human desires?
Why “S*x” Needs More Open Space in Education and Society
S*x is a fundamental human need, yet in many societies—including Sri Lanka—it remains taboo. Silence, stigma, and moral policing dominate schools, families, and religious institutions, leaving young people and vulnerable communities exposed to misunderstanding, abuse, and social harm. This article argues that education and society must create safe, inclusive, and informed spaces for open dialogue on s*xual desire, consent, and human rights. By including LGBTIQ+ perspectives, we not only support s*xual minorities but also help heteros*xual families challenge myths, fears, and shame around s*xuality. Breaking cultural taboos and addressing systemic neglect empowers individuals, protects the vulnerable, and fosters a society grounded in awareness, dignity, and genuine human development.
Recently, I came across a news story on YouTube about an alleged incident of s*xual misconduct that occurred at a Buddhist temple near my hometown, Kadawatha. According to reports, two monks were taken into custody following accusations involving adolescent novices.
Initially, I was skeptical about the accuracy of the report, but later I heard further accounts from residents—including traditional Ayurvedic practitioners—who shared additional information about the incident. What struck me most was how openly people discussed this matter in private spaces, yet how little it was addressed publicly or institutionally. The same temple was widely known for its meditation sessions and had gained a strong following both physically and online, drawing many lay devotees, especially women.
This and similar incidents—some involving well-known monks with large international followings—raise profound questions about s*xuality, morality, and silence in religious life. These situations are not unique to Buddhism; similar allegations have been made in Christian, Hindu, Muslim, and other religious institutions around the world. Such contexts invite us to think critically about the human dimension of religious life, the psychological and social conditions of celibacy, and the absence of open conversation about s*xuality within sacred and educational spaces.
These developments lead to several important questions:
1. Do religious clergy and monastic communities have adequate emotional and psychological support to manage s*xual desire and intimacy?
2. Should there be safe and informed spaces within religious and educational institutions to discuss s*xuality without stigma?
3. Why are digital and social media platforms increasingly revealing stories related to same-s*x desire or s*xual misconduct among clergy?
4. Has social media created a new openness—or simply exposed what was long hidden?
During my doctoral studies in the UK, a friend shared a Sinhala novel titled Pansale Sellama (Play in the Buddhist Temple), which explores the theme of same-s*x relationships and intimacy within monastic life. Although fictional, it reflects deeper realities about the complexity of human s*xuality, even within spaces that idealize purity and renunciation.
The point is not to sensationalize these issues but to acknowledge that s*xuality, repression, and moral contradiction coexist in all societies. What is urgently needed is open, informed, and empathetic dialogue—in our education systems, religious training, and public discourse—about s*x and human desire. Silence and denial only allow exploitation and misunderstanding to persist.
The above context raises fundamental ontological questions, such as: Does s*xual suppression lead to an increase in s*xual desire? Why, then, are Buddhist monks or other religious clergy so frequently accused in relation to these issues? This may suggest either a politically motivated attempt to discredit religious institutions or, more fundamentally, a failure within Buddhist or other religious doctrines to help individuals understand s*xuality objectively. In other words, the Theravāda Buddhist principles related to sīla (moral precepts and practices) may, at times, suppress the genuine bodily, mental, and psychological needs of individuals. This could explain why s*xual narratives and scandals involving religious figures often surface in the media.
A particularly revealing case involves adolescent monks who, after years of internal struggle, were exposed when incidents of s*xual abuse within temples came to light through social media platforms such as Facebook. These revelations coincided with government discussions around s*x education and LGBTIQ+ rights, which drew vehement criticism from elite Buddhist hierarchies and political opponents alike. Ironically, while many of these religious and social elites publicly denounce same-s*x education and refuse to introduce s*xual and reproductive health education in schools from Grade 8 onwards, such misconduct remains prevalent within the very institutions they represent.
Even in 2025, Sri Lankan society continues to depend on feudal, elite, and politically corrupted cultural narratives that falsely claim to preserve “Buddhist national culture” and “civilized values.” These narratives serve to obscure rather than address the true social problems—especially s*xual exploitation and abuse—within the community. To build an honest and decent society, we must educate people about genuine human behaviour: why individuals express s*xual desires, why rural communities turn to kasippu (illicit liquor), or why young people become addicted to drugs.
Education promotes awareness and empowerment; it helps individuals move beyond victimisation and criminalisation. A society grounded in knowledge, acceptance, and inclusivity can foster not only s*xual liberation but also mental and psychological well-being. Ultimately, human development should not be measured merely by technological or infrastructural progress, but by how freely and truthfully individuals can think, feel, and live. A society that embraces human diversity and dignity is the true reflection of global human development today.
To discuss and elucidate this further, s*x is a fundamental human need, regardless of whether it is expressed in heteros*xual, homos*xual, bis*xual, transgender, or other forms. Moreover, it is increasingly recognized as a basic right of citizenship. In heteros*xual marriages, for example, when one partner rejects or delays s*xual intimacy, the other may seek fulfillment elsewhere; this reflects a real and natural human need. S*xual desire is not purely genetic or culturally determined—though cultural and social constraints may shape its expression, individuals still seek to satisfy their bodily and psychological needs despite these limitations.
The suppression of s*xual expression, whether at the individual, societal, or state level, produces a range of problems, from personal physical and mental distress to broader social, cultural, and political consequences. From a psychoanalytic perspective, Sigmund Freud emphasized the psychological repercussions of repressing natural drives. Karl Marx, from a materialist economic perspective, highlighted how social and structural constraints shape human desires and frustrations. Philosophers such as Lord Buddha, as well as thinkers like Michel Foucault, have revealed that when authentic bodily and psychological expressions are suppressed, individuals—and by extension, society—become vulnerable to suffering and social dysfunction.
S*x should not be viewed solely as a matter of ethics, morality, or social convention; it is primarily a biological and psychological reality. External constructions—social, legal, ethical, religious, or state-imposed—often attempt to regulate or prohibit natural s*xual needs. When these “front spaces” are closed, s*xual expression does not disappear; instead, it moves to hidden or clandestine spaces, revealing the true panorama of human s*xual behavior.
One of the biggest challenges we face today is our inability to accept and acknowledge the true nature of how and where we live. This issue has significant consequences for societies worldwide, particularly in areas where cultural myths and political agendas shape public perception. A clear example of this is the widespread reluctance to discuss s*xual topics openly and honestly.
In many cases, this is not merely a matter of morality or tradition, but a reflection of a lack of scientifically grounded, objective education. Ill-informed politics and cultural conservatism have created an environment in which natural human behaviors are denied, suppressed, or stigmatized. The result is a form of cultural hypocrisy and an educational failure that prevents society from recognizing and addressing authentic human needs.
In other words, if we allow popular, hegemonic, and dominant public opinions to go unchallenged, even when they indirectly harm society, we contribute to real social problems. Examples include the rise of s*xually transmitted diseases, s*xual abuse of adolescents, and the disruption of young married couples’ lives, as well as increased criminality and drug addiction. These issues arise in part because society, culturally and legally, has historically accepted dominant narratives—often myths or asocially constructed “truths”—without question.
Instead, our country requires more open public discourse, critical scrutiny, and vigilant observation, conducted with dignity, honesty, and decency. Such dialogue is essential to ensure that today’s youth and citizens can claim their rights, including s*xual citizenship, and participate fully in shaping a society that respects authentic human needs and values.
Image from ; https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20230920-s*x-education-the-show-that-changed-s*x-on-tv-forever
