Close Ad

Indian-Royal-Opens-Up-Palace-for-Vulnerable-LGBT-People
Uplifting News

Indian Prince Opens Up Palace for Vulnerable LGBT People

Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil, the world’s first openly gay prince, has opened up his 15-acre palace to shelter and aid at-risk LGBTQ+ people, news of which attracted public support from around the world.

In fact, the prominent LGBTQ+ rights advocate is currently expanding housing options on the estate to accommodate larger numbers.


I want to give people social and financial empowerment, so eventually people who want to come out won't be affected. They will have their own social security system.

- Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil

The son and heir-apparent to the Maharaja of Rajpipla in India’s conservative Gujarat state, Manvendra experienced first-hand the effects of homophobia, watching effigies of himself burning in the streets of his home state when he publicly came out in 2006.

Although raised in one of the most privileged families in India, and indeed the world, Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil was set to live a life of public importance and utmost comfort.

His teenage years however brought on a confusing and scary realization to the young heir – he soon realized he was attracted to men, and only men.

Raised in a deeply conservative environment, the young prince even went through with an arranged marriage in 1991 to another royal, in the hopes of pleasing his family. Also, as he later confessed in a now-notorious Oprah interview, he had hopes that the marriage would turn him heterosexual.

[embedyt] [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6a39D0PtPM[/embedyt] expand=1 site_id=26461365]

That of course never happened, as it is scientifically impossible, and the marriage fell apart just 16 months in. Manvendra continued to live a secret life, even as India moved towards a more conservative agenda, cracking down on the LGBTQ+ community.

Then, as his former wife remarried, and Manvendra realized he was in a unique position to further change, he came out as gay in 2006. As he always expected, his family ostracized him, cutting all ties. His mother even took out a newspaper ad to publicly denounce and disown him. He was also disinherited from the ancestral home.

Prince-Manvendra-Singh-Gohil-worlds-first-openly-gay-prince

Despite the deeply painful rejection from his family, India’s openly gay royal set to work, establishing the Lakshya Foundation.

The non-profit works with the LGBTQ+ community, promoting safe-sex practices and HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention – despite still being harassed by the police. In fact, there have been deeply disturbing accusations of Lakshya volunteers being arrested and assaulted by police officers. Yet the brave volunteers and Prince Manvendra continue to fight, hoping that change will soon come.

Hot Stories

Leonardo DiCaprio Told Kate Winslet To “Let The Fat Girl Thing Go”
Leo Dicaprio Told Kate Winslet To “Let The Fat Girl Thing Go” …

Forced to feel ashamed for her weight and appearance, Kate Winslet struggled with her body image for years. The media loved to tease her for being “the fat girl,” but there was ONE PERSON who saw the real her. What did Leo see in Kate? And what important message does Kate have for young women everywhere?


Keep ReadingShow less
Videos
Woman at a restaurant's window and two teen employees.

Teens Applauded For the Way They Handled This Angry Customer

Instagram/ @kekessnowballs

Working in customer service can be challenging, especially when you’re dealing with rude and demanding clients. That’s particularly true for some teens, who work these jobs for part-time money and are often bullied by adults. Perhaps that’s why people are applauding these teen girls for the way they expertly handled an over-the-top customer.

Keep ReadingShow less
Uplifting News
Man standing with two daughters, a black purse and a handwritten note (inset)

Grieving Daughter Finds Note In Fossil Purse While Thrifting

Courtesy Anna Harp and Courtesy of Abrielle Clausing (via People.com)

Thrifting can net all sorts of treasures. Shoppers can snatch up everything from vintage clothes to mid-century modern furniture to kitschy knick-knacks, all without breaking the bank.

But for one grieving woman, she found a hidden gem that was truly priceless.

Keep ReadingShow less
Uplifting News