5 LGBTQ+ Notable Figures and Activists On The ‘Gram

The LGBTQ+ community has been a marginalised community for many decades now. Being outcasts and against the ‘natural order’, are some of the terms the society has been hurling at them. However, with the emergence of Social Media, especially with the growing popularity of Instagram, the Queer community has found a platform. Instagram emerged as a safe place for the LQBTQ+ community where they can raise their concerns, express their opinions and educate people about their issues. 

Not just limiting to concerns, Instagram has been a stable platform for the queer community to take centre stage and showcase their talent. In light of the ongoing Supreme Court hearing on same-sex marriages in India, we want to honour the work of some content creators from the LGBTQ+ community who have made a dent in the society with their work in different fields. 

Dutee Chand

Dutee Chand is a professional athlete who has represented India in many international games and won several medals for her nation. Currently, she is the National Champion in the 100-metre races. Not just this, she is also the first Indian to win a gold medal in the 100-metre race category in an international game. Apart from this, she has also won 2 silver medals at the Asian games in 2018. 

Dutee Chand is a star athlete but her fame did not come easy. She has fought many legal battles to show she’s worthy of being where she is and she has been fair towards her profession. While fighting these battles, she has also taken to fighting societal stereotypes and came out as First Queer Indian Athlete and accepted her romantic feelings towards a girl.

Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil

Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil is the son of Maharaja Of Rajpipla, an erstwhile Princely State in the Gujarat region of India. He is said to be the first openly Gay Prince from a Royal lineage not just in India but across the globe. Today, he is one of the most vocal activists of the Queer community fighting for their rights and their dignity. He has also opened the Queerbagh, a 15 acres centre for the community within the palace for those in need.

However, all this courage did not come in a single day. The Prince knew he was gay since he was 12 years old but he remained under wraps for many years. He came out at the age of 41, before which he received severe backlash from his kin, shock therapy and was also forcefully married to a woman. He was also expelled from his inheritance as a Prince but in 2006 he came out as homosexual to a Journalist from the Dainik Bhaskar Group.

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Keshav Suri

Keshav Suri is the prodigy child of Lalit Suri and Jyotsna Suri. He is the Executive Director of the Lalit Suri Hospitality Group and is said to be the youngest Executive Director of the luxury hotel chain ever. Mr Suri has gotten business in his blood and has proved this on multiple accounts by bringing innovative business expansion policies. Kitty Su, the first LQBTQ-friendly nightclub was his idea and he has successfully opened 4 clubs across cities and the 5th one is under way. He is also the first luxury hotel to start food trucks.

With a successful professional demeanour, he also wanted a free personal life. Identifying as a Queer, he challenged Section 377 in the Supreme Court and within 6 months the 158 year old law criminalising same-sex relationship was scrapped. Soon after he started the Keshav Suri Foundation which financially supports the people from the LGBTQ+ community.

Harish Iyer

Harish Iyer is another significant name from the Queer inclusivity chapter. A victim of child abuse, Harish has seen horror closely and chose to be fight for the those who cannot fight for themselves. He advocates for queer individuals, women and children survivors of sexual abuse. He is now also heading the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Department for the Axis Bank creating a gender sensitive corporate space.  He is also the first from the community to join a political party, Congress. 

For Mr Iyer life has not been this easy but he chose to live his truth with dignity. He has appeared on shows like Satyamev Jayate, Zindagi Live and received many awards for his work. Harish has been the inspiration between films like I Am and Amen and the book The Bad Touch features a biographical account of his life.

Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju

Dr Trinetra is a trans-doctor going by the pronouns she/her. She is popularly known by her Instagram handle trintrin where she has given an explicit account of her day-to-day life as a trans-woman. She is a doctor, content creator and activist. She talks on subjects such as queer-phobia, feminism, mental health, sexual abuse and bullying. She has made her way to The Forbes 30 under 30 Asia List 2022.

Trinetra was born As Angad with whom she never felt herself. There was a lot of self-hate before she realised there are people who do not confirm with the gender assigned. In February 2020, she underwent Gender Affirmation Surgery and now is the first trans-surgeon of Karnataka. 

Societal stereotypes can feel suffocating especially for those who do not fit in. It is 2023 and the least we can do is acknowledge differences. Tell us your ways to be an ally and also list your favourite creators from the Queer community so that we can come together and celebrate talent in all forms.