Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil

Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil is an internationally recognised LGBTQ+ rights advocate and equality speaker, known for being the first openly gay royal in India. He is the Co-Founder and Chairperson of Lakshya Trust, a pioneering organisation focused on HIV prevention for MSM (Men who have Sex with Men) and transgender individuals in Gujarat. His personal journey—coming out in a deeply conservative society and facing public and familial backlash—has made him a powerful voice in racial and social equality circles. His lived experience of marginalisation and perseverance forms the heart of his advocacy. Through his talks—Journey of the Gay Prince of India, Be Happy and Be Gay, Real Life Rainbow Royalty, and Empathy and Perspectives—he blends his royal identity with activism, encouraging more inclusive environments in workplaces and communities.

In his early years, Prince Manvendra faced intense stigma and isolation after publicly coming out in 2006. Rather than retreating, he channelled that experience into activism. After formal training in HIV/AIDS awareness, he took on a leadership role as the Western India Representative of the Integrated Network for Sexual Minorities, India’s largest HIV/AIDS NGO network for sexual minorities. He later founded the Ekta Transglobal Foundation, a US-registered platform for global advocacy on social issues affecting LGBTQ+ communities. Alongside his advocacy, he is a passionate practitioner of Indian classical music and a trained yoga instructor, expressing his identity through cultural and spiritual forms as well.

In recent years, Prince Manvendra has continued to expand his global influence. He is currently an Ambassador Consultant (India) for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the oldest HIV/AIDS organisation in the United States. He is also a seasoned TEDx speaker, with his many talks including Journey of the Gay Prince of India and Importance of Decriminalizing Homosexuality. His continued visibility in international media, including features in Oprah, BBC, and Forbes, along with numerous public honours, underscores his global impact. His work has helped shift attitudes in India and abroad, particularly in the intersection of LGBTQ+ rights and cultural identity, making him one of the most unique and influential speakers in the equality space today.

Through powerful storytelling and deeply personal insights, Prince Manvendra’s speaking topics cover far more than sexuality—they unpack identity, discrimination, and empathy, encouraging audiences to examine racial and social biases. Talks such as Empathy and Perspectives tie his experiences of exclusion in Indian society to broader conversations on race and diversity, making his voice especially resonant in multinational or multicultural settings. He is hired not only for his unique life story but for his ability to challenge preconceptions, foster belonging, and offer practical insights into building a truly inclusive society.