This panel of distinguished guests and activists will discuss about the current status of pride, ground realities, challenges and legalities of the Queer community, hosted by RJ Dharmin.

Panelists:

Manvendra Singh Gohil: Born into a Royal Rajput family of Rajpipla Gujarat, Manvendra Singh is the worlds first openly Gay prince. He is a human rights activist and chairman of , “Lakshya Trust”, which works for HIV/AIDS education and prevention.  

Rahul Upadhyay: While pursuing civil engineering at IIT Gandhinagar, Rahul pulled up all resources to make Gandhinagar's first ever queer Pride happen. Its huge success, catapulted Rahul as a queer champion and be part of the prestigious Interpride in multiple roles.  

Dr. Shweta Garg: Shweta Rao Garg is an artist, writer, and academic based in Ahmedabad. She is an associate professor at DAIICT and her standpoint as a feminist, and as a gender studies scholar, shapes her subject matter and forms.

Timestamps: 

0:00 - Introduction

7:40 - Coming out

14:50 - First parade

18:10 - Mental health and coming out

26:20 fear about LGBTQ+ (grey shades in everyone)

28:30 - Structural changes in Academia 

33:55 - Madras high court verdict

41:00 - Training the trainers

46:05 - Cover reveal: The Tales from Campus

50:40 - Gender Cell appreciation

1:04:55 - Struggles of LGBT+ students

1:10:00 - How can one try to accept themselves

1:14:45 - Role as an ally

1:18:50 - Inspirations for Manvendra sir 

1:22:35 - Legalities regarding LGBTQ+

1:33:50 - Challenges due to COVID

1:41:15 - AIDS awareness

1:47:55 - Response to humours

1:50:30 - Conclusion