Manvendra Singh Gohil: India’s Gay Prince
Manvendra Singh Gohil, the prince of Rajpipla, bravely shared his truth by coming out as gay despite facing harsh opposition. Born into a traditional royal family in Gujarat in 1965, he struggled with his sexual orientation, which clashed with societal expectations. In 1991, he married Princess Chandrika Kumari of Jhabua, but their marriage ended in divorce within a year. By 2002, Manvendra embraced his identity and publicly announced he was gay in 2006.
His disclosure sparked uproar in India, with protests, burning effigies, and even death threats directed at him. Despite his parents’ attempts to “cure” him with conversion therapy, Manvendra was not labeled as mentally ill, as homosexuality is not considered a disorder. Sadly, his parents disowned him and urged others to reject him as their son.
Despite the immense challenges and thoughts of suicide, Manvendra persevered. In 2013, he found love and married Cecil “DeAndre” Richardson, an American from Seattle. Over time, he reconciled with his family and gained global recognition for his LGBTQIA+ advocacy.
Manvendra founded the Lakshya Trust, a Gujarat-based LGBTQIA+ charity, and promotes queer-friendly tourism through his royal establishment, Queer Bagh. He also serves as the editor of Fun, a magazine for gay men, raising awareness about issues like conversion therapy and discrimination.
His impact extends beyond India. Manvendra played a crucial role in the decriminalization of homosexuality in India when Section 377 was repealed in 2018. Reflecting on this milestone, he emphasized the freedom to love without fear of persecution.
Today, Manvendra continues his mission to create safe spaces for the LGBTQ+ community and advocate for equality worldwide. Despite facing adversity, his journey inspires countless individuals to embrace their true selves and fight for acceptance and love.
Re-reported from the article originally published in She the People.
