India’s first LGBTQA centre (where A stands for allies), is under construction in Gujarat.
The project is the brain child of India’s first openly gay prince, Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil. He has donated his royal ancestral property and his income to make this dream come true.
The 15 acres of palatial estate on the banks of Narmada river, developed by the Maharaja Vijay Singhji in 1927, was once used to entertain high-ranking British officials and Hollywood celebrities in pre-independence India.
The grounds are now under renovation to create India’s first LGBTQA centre.
Article 377 – India’s laws on homosexuality
India’s Supreme Court has agreed to re-examine its decision on article 377, a law that makes having homosexual relations illegal in India.
Prince Manvendra Singh explains being homosexual in itself has never been a crime in India, so while he is very happy and hopeful for the future generations, he says changing the law is just one small step.
“If the laws are changed, that is great news for the LGBTQ community in India,” Prince Manvendra tells SBS Gujarati. “But what is more important is acceptance by the family and change of attitudes within the society.’
Prince Manvendra believes homosexuality was always a part of the Indian culture accepted in Hinduism and displayed in various ancient carvings.
The current law, he says, is a result of Muslim invasion and British rule which brought the downfall of homosexuality in India.
Executive Producer Nital Desai with Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil at SBS Studios during his Australia visit in 2013 Source: SBS Gujarati
“India is independent since 70 years,” says Prince Manvendra. “I don’t see any meaning in having an archaic British law in our country, which the UK has done away with in their own country.
He says it “only goes to show that India is not free as yet.”
“Why can’t we have our own laws based on our culture and traditions?”
Commenting on Australia’s newly-established marriage equality laws Prince Manvendra says “It is very important for the LGBTQ community that not just rights are established, but that progressive countries like Australia [make] human rights mainstream for sexual minorities - the right to live with the person you love.”
Creating social support structure for sexual minorities
Prince Manvendra’s dream project LGBTQA centre will work toward creating social support structure for sexual minorities.
In addition to medical facilities, the centre will provide educational and vocational training.
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“When I came out in 2006 I was publicly disowned and disinherited from ancestral property,” says the Prince. “Most young people are dependent on families for financial support so when a young person comes out, if he is disowned and thrown out of family home and business he or she would not only be socially boycotted but financially broke too”
India’s first LGBTQA center will hence also provide a shelter home with eight rooms.
If someone is thrown out of their home in the middle of the night, they will have a place they can call home.
In addition, many gay, lesbian and trans community members also have a natural talent for the arts: music, choreography, fashion-design and makeup artistry. Prince Manvendra would like to provide opportunities for these skills to be developed professionally to make the LGBTQ members financially independent.
Funding the centre
The total budget for this centre to be up and running is $100,000 USD. In addition to donating the ancestral property and his own income as an HIV Consultant, Prince Manvendra is crowd-funding in India and abroad.
He has also built up a profile in the United States, appearing on Oprah and most recently appearing on an episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians, where he spoke about his fundraising efforts for the centre, to further promote it.
Many other organisations like Shri Aurbindo Ashram in Pondicherry are lending a helping hand.
