Only by speaking out can we create lasting change. And that change begins with coming out.
DaShanne Stokes
India is a country that has a rich cultural history of diversity and inclusivity. Despite this, members of the LGBT+ (Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning) community in India have faced a long history of discrimination and marginalization. We aim to highlight some of the best motivational LGBTQ+ speakers in India who are using their platforms to share their stories and advocate for equal rights and acceptance for the LGBT+ community.
One of the ways this is being achieved is through the voices and stories of LGBT+ individuals themselves. These speakers come from various backgrounds and fields, but they all share a commitment to fighting discrimination and promoting inclusivity for the LGBT+ community in India. However, in recent years, there has been a growing movement towards acceptance and equal rights for the LGBT+ community in India.
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12 Best motivational & Inspirational LGBTQ+ speakers in India
1. Sushant Divgikar
Sushant Divgikar is an Indian model, actor, singer, and LGBT+ rights activist. He is the winner of the Mr Gay India 2014 pageant and represented India at the Mr Gay World 2014 pageant. Sushant is also known for his work as a drag artist and has performed at various LGBT+ events across India. He is a prominent advocate for LGBT+ rights in India and has spoken out on issues such as marriage equality and the decriminalization of homosexuality.
Sushant has actively participated in various media campaigns aimed at promoting inclusivity and combating discrimination against the LGBT+ community in India. Moreover, He is a powerful voice in the fight for equal rights for the LGBT+ community and continues to inspire and motivate others through his advocacy work.
2. Harish Iyer
Harish Iyer is an Indian activist, author, and speaker who is known for his work in advocating for LGBT+ rights in India. He is a survivor of child sexual abuse and has used his experiences to raise awareness about issues such as child abuse, gender-based violence, and LGBT+ discrimination. Harish is also known for his work in founding the Mumbai-based support group “Queer Azaadi Mumbai” (QAM) and has been involved in various advocacy campaigns for the LGBT+ community in India.
Also read – 20 Must Watch & Best LGBTQ+ Movies Of All Time
Leader’s Tip:
Make your community and workplace safe places for open discussion, developing understanding, and bringing about constructive change.
He is a prominent speaker and has given talks at various events and conferences, including TEDx, on topics related to social justice, human rights, and LGBT+ rights. Also, Through his work, Harish has become a powerful voice in the fight for equal rights and acceptance for the LGBT+ community in India.
3. Kalki Subramaniam
Kalki Subramaniam is an Indian transgender rights activist, artist, and author. She is the founder of the Sahodari Foundation, a nonprofit organization that works towards the empowerment and well-being of transgender individuals in India. Kalki is also a well-known speaker and has given talks at various events and conferences on topics related to transgender rights, gender identity, and sexuality. Also, Her work, including the book “A Life in Trans Activism,” earned her prestigious recognition, including the Nari Shakti Puraskar, India’s highest civilian award for women.
Kalki’s work has helped to raise awareness about the struggles and discrimination faced by transgender individuals in India and has been instrumental in promoting inclusivity and acceptance for the transgender community.
4. Dutee Chand
Dutee Chand is an Indian sprinter and a member of the LGBT+ community. She became the first Indian athlete to openly come out as a member of the LGBT+ community in 2019. Throughout her career, officials banned Dutee from competition due to her naturally high testosterone levels, subjecting her to discrimination and stigma.She has used her platform as an athlete to raise awareness about LGBT+ rights and promote inclusivity in sports.
Dutee has won numerous medals at both the national and international levels and has become a role model for LGBT+ individuals in India and around the world. Also, She continues to advocate for equal rights and acceptance for the LGBT+ community and has become a powerful voice in the fight against discrimination.
5. Anjali Gopalan
Anjali Gopalan is an Indian LGBT+ rights activist and the founder of the Naz Foundation, a nonprofit organization that works towards the prevention of HIV/AIDS and the promotion of LGBT+ rights in India. Additionally, She has been a vocal advocate for the decriminalization of homosexuality in India and played a key role in the landmark 2009 Delhi High Court decision that struck down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which criminalized same-sex relationships.
Anjali has been recognized for her work with numerous awards and honors, including the Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur, which is France’s highest civilian honor. She continues to be a prominent voice in the fight for equal rights and acceptance for the LGBT+ community in India and has inspired countless individuals through her advocacy work.
6. Laxmi Narayan Tripathi
Laxmi Narayan Tripathi is an Indian transgender rights activist, dancer, and actress. She is the founder of the Astitva Trust, a nonprofit organization that works towards the empowerment and well-being of transgender individuals in India. Moreover, Laxmi has been a vocal advocate for transgender rights and has worked to raise awareness about the discrimination and violence faced by transgender individuals in India.
She played a key role in the landmark 2014 Indian Supreme Court decision that recognized transgender individuals as a “third gender” and granted them legal rights and protections.
Laxmi has contributed to the arts through acting in Bollywood films and showcasing her talents as a classical dancer. Also, She earned numerous awards and honors, including the International Iconic Personality Award for Social Justice, for her impactful work.
Laxmi’s advocacy work has helped to promote inclusivity and acceptance for the transgender community in India and has inspired countless individuals to stand up for equal rights and dignity.
7. Sonal Giani
Sonal Giani is an Indian LGBT+ rights activist and the founder of the Indian Aces, an organization that advocates for the rights and inclusion of LGBT+ individuals in sports. Also, She has been a vocal advocate for the decriminalization of homosexuality in India and has worked to promote inclusivity and acceptance for the LGBT+ community in sports and other areas of society.
Sonal has been recognized for her work with numerous awards and honors, including being named as one of the BBC’s 100 Women in 2019. Also, She continues to be a prominent voice in the fight for equal rights and dignity for the LGBT+ community in India and has inspired many individuals to stand up for their rights and speak out against discrimination.
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8. Manvendra Singh Gohil
Manvendra Singh Gohil is an Indian prince who belongs to the royal family of Rajpipla in Gujarat, India. Also,He is known for being one of the first openly gay members of Indian royalty and a prominent LGBT rights activist in India.
Gohil was born on September 23, 1965, and is the son of Maharana Shri Raghubir Singhji Rajendrasinghji Sahib of Rajpipla. He inherited the title of “Yuvaraja” or crown prince after his father’s death in 1994.
In 2006, Gohil publicly came out as gay, becoming one of the first openly gay members of Indian royalty. Since then, he has actively advocated for LGBT rights in India, a country that decriminalized homosexuality in 2018.Also, He founded the Lakshya Trust, an organization that works to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in India’s LGBT community and provides support to people living with the disease.
Also read – 10 Most Influential LGBTQ inspirational and motivational speakers in China
Gohil has received several awards and honors for his work in promoting LGBT rights in India, including the International Human Rights Award from the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission and the Fellowship of the Royal Society of Arts in the UK.
9. Parmesh Shahani
Parmesh Shahani is an Indian author, researcher, and cultural theorist who is known for his work on the intersection of technology, culture, and society. Also, He is the founder of Godrej India Culture Lab, an experimental cultural institution that focuses on promoting creativity, diversity, and innovation in India.
Shahani was born on June 11, 1973, in Mumbai, India. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, and a master’s degree in media and cultural studies from the University of Sussex, UK.
In his work, Shahani explores the ways in which technology and culture are transforming society in India and around the world. He has written several books on the subject, including “Gay Bombay: Globalization, Love and (Be)Longing in Contemporary India” and “Queeristan: LGBT Inclusion in Corporate India.”
Shahani is also a regular commentator on issues related to culture, technology, and society in India. He has written for several publications, including The Guardian, Forbes India, and Mint Lounge. In addition, he is a TED Fellow and has delivered several TED Talks on his work.
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10. Nagma
Nagma, also known as Nandita Arvind Morarji, is an Indian film actress and politician. She has worked in various languages of Indian cinema, including Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and Bhojpuri.
Nagma was born on December 25, 1974, in Mumbai, India. She made her debut in Bollywood with the film “Baaghi: A Rebel for Love” in 1990. She gained popularity in the 1990s for her roles in films like “Gharana Mogudu” in Telugu and “Kadhalan” in Tamil.
Apart from her acting career, Nagma is also involved in politics. She joined the Indian National Congress party in 2004 and contested the Lok Sabha elections from the Meerut constituency in Uttar Pradesh in 2009. However, she was not successful in her political career and did not win the election.
In addition to her work in films and politics, Nagma is also known for her philanthropic activities. She has been associated with several social causes,including HIV/AIDS awareness and LGBT (Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning) empowerment. She has also established the Nagma Morarji Charitable Trust, which works towards the education and development of underprivileged children.
Leader’s Tip:
Accept honesty; by expressing your personal LGBTQ+ journey, you will inspire others to be authentic and advance acceptance.
11. Vivek Tejuja
Vivek Tejuja is an Indian author, blogger, and motivational LGBTQ+ speakers. He is known for his work on LGBTQ issues and has been a prominent advocate for LGBTQ rights in India.
Tejuja was born in Mumbai, India, and identifies as gay. He has written extensively on LGBTQ issues and has been a regular contributor to publications such as The Hindu, Hindustan Times, and Scroll.in. He has also published a memoir, “So Now You Know: A Memoir of Growing Up Gay in India.”
In addition to his writing, Tejuja is a well-known motivational LGBTQ speakers and has spoken at various events, including the Mumbai Pride Parade, TedX, and the Jaipur Literature Festival. He has used his platform to raise awareness about issues facing the LGBTQ community in India and to advocate for greater acceptance and rights for the community.
Tejuja has received several awards for his work on LGBTQ issues, including the Queer Achiever Award at the KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival and the Pride Speaker Award at the Mumbai Pride Festival. He is also a member of the advisory board for the Godrej India Culture Lab, which focuses on promoting creativity and innovation in India.
12. Sridhar Rangayan
Sridhar Rangayan is an Indian filmmaker, writer, and motivational LGBTQ+ speakers. He is known for his work on LGBTQ issues and has been a prominent advocate for LGBTQ rights in India.
Rangayan was born on December 22, 1962, in Tamil Nadu, India. He studied physics and computer science before pursuing a career in filmmaking. He has directed several award-winning films, including “The Pink Mirror,” “Yours Emotionally,” and “Breaking Free.”
In addition to his filmmaking work, Rangayan is a well-known LGBTQ speaker and has spoken at various events, including the Mumbai Pride Parade, TedX, and the Queer Asia Conference. He has used his platform to raise awareness about issues facing the LGBT community in India and to advocate for greater acceptance and rights for the community.
These LGBTQ+ speakers in India come from a diverse range of backgrounds, including activism, media, entertainment, and sports. They all have a shared commitment to promoting inclusivity and fighting discrimination against the LGBT+ community. Many of them have faced personal challenges and struggles, and they use their experiences to inspire and motivate others. Through their stories, they are helping to break down barriers and promote acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community in India.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs):
What kind of events do motivational LGBTQ speakers in India speak at?
Motivational LGBTQ speakers in India speak at various events, including pride parades, conferences, seminars, and workshops. They may also speak at schools, colleges, and corporate organizations to raise awareness about LGBT issues and promote inclusion.
What are some of the achievements of LGBTQ speakers in India?
Motivational LGBTQ speakers in India have made significant contributions to the movement for LGBTQ rights in the country. They have raised awareness about issues facing the community, advocated for legal and social change, and provided support and resources for LGBTQ individuals. Many have received awards and recognition for their work, and their advocacy has helped to shape public opinion and policy in India.
Key Takeaways:
- LGBTQ+ speakers in India are change agents that advocate for acceptance and empowerment for underprivileged groups.
- Their experiences demonstrate the value of diversity and the strength of resiliency in the face of difficulty.
- India’s LGBTQ+ speakers encourage people to be true to who they are, advancing diversity and equality in society.