Gujarat is famous for its culture, business attitude, and strong traditions. But all this aside, something silent is emerging. The LGBTQ+ community that was long ignored is now beginning to be noticed and heard. They are breaking outdated rules, embracing who they are, and unveiling the world to their strength and creativity with pride. This World Pride Day, let us talk about the communities and people working for and around the movement.
Breaking the Silence
Being queer in Gujarat for the longest time meant keeping quiet. Many had to lead their lives in secret, not daring to open their mouths for fear, stigma, and without any legal protection. Even speaking to your own family about who you truly are seemed like a great, scary leap.
Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil of Rajpipla made headlines by coming out as India’s first openly gay royal. This marked the beginning of a movement in 2006. His brave step didn’t just change conversations in Gujarat—it inspired change across the country.
He started Lakshya Trust in Vadodara, an NGO that helps LGBTQ+ people. He worked tirelessly for queer rights by providing health services, awareness drives, and skill-building programs.
Lakshya- Guiding Towards Equality
The word Lakshya means “aim” or “goal,” and the organization lives up to its name—working towards acceptance, equality, and helping community members lead empowered, confident lives.
Lakshya is a community-based organization registered as a public charitable trust that has been the centre of excellence in the field of sexual health programme for the community since its inception in 2000.
The organization works on various issues addressing and advocating the social, economic, legal, psychological, spiritual and health aspects of sexual minorities (Gay, Bisexual and Transgender population) in the western Indian state of Gujarat.
Lakshya primarily works on HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention along with providing employment opportunities to LGBTQ+ people.
QueerAbad – A Community of Belonging
Anahita Sarabhai and Shamini Kothari had a dream—to make Ahmedabad more open and accepting. That dream took shape as QueerAbad, a community space that celebrates LGBTQIA+ identities in a city where conservatism often dominates.
But QueerAbad is more than just a physical space. It’s a buzzing hub of activity and connection. They host everything from poetry nights to meaningful discussions, bringing people together through art and conversation.
Initiatives such as “Ask What You Will” and “Be Seen” provide spaces in which individuals can open up freely and be themselves. They’ve also provided a platform for famous artists such as Alok Vaid-Menon and hosted Ahmedabad’s largest Pride ever. QueerAbad is special because it makes inclusion a priority at all levels. They even make awareness booklets in Gujarati to ensure their voice reaches the broader local population and fosters awareness across generations.
Gandhinagar Queer Pride Foundation (GQPF)
Started in 2019, the Gandhinagar Queer Pride Foundation (GQPF) is a youth-led organization based in Gujarat’s capital. Run by trans and gender-diverse individuals, it works to create safe, inclusive spaces for queer youth. It has developed from a small support group into a powerful voice for change now.
One of their major milestones was organizing Gandhinagar’s first Pride Parade in 2020. In 2023, they hosted Mumbai’s largest LGBTQIA+ gathering, bringing together over 1,500 people from 12 states.
Under the campaign “Inclusive Gujarat,” GQPF also conducts workshops to raise awareness about gender and sexuality. In 2023 alone, they held over 20 sessions in schools, colleges, offices, and NGOs.
They’re leaving their stamp in public places with “Paint the City Rainbow”. It’s a mural initiative throughout Ahmedabad that promotes pride and acceptance messages. GQPF is not only about activism—they party queer culture too. Their Indian Pride Festival has activities such as a Queer Mela, drag performances, and even prom nights. It’s all for promoting queer artists and small enterprises.
Gazra Café – Brewing Change
Gujarat has recently opened its first LGBTQIA+ Cafe through its Gazra Cafe. It is an initiative to bring in people from the community to be a part of the business. Members of the LGBTQ+ community runs the cafe entirely. This provides them with employment opportunities and a platform to engage with the wider community.
Gazra is being supported by the Vadodara royal family and is fully managed by members of the queer community. Housed within the premises of the Maharani Chimnabai Stree Udyogalay (MCSU) and overlooking Vadodara’s scenic Sursagar Lake, this isn’t your usual coffee shop. It offers a restful ambience, courtesy the location in an old, double-storey brick building that is tucked away amid tall trees. It’s a first of its kind inclusive cafe, re-installing the spirits to keep the quest for culture, craft, cuisine and inclusivity going on.
GUROOR- Queer Collective
GUROOR – The Ahmedabad University Queer Collective is a student-run safe space. Here LGBTQ+ individuals, allies, and anyone questioning their identity can freely express themselves and find community support. The collective hosts creative and affirming events like open mic nights and karaoke gatherings. This provides outlets for expression and building emotional resilience ○ as seen in their January 2025 Open Mic and March 2025 “Kareogay 3.0” karaoke night. Through its welcoming activities, GUROOR fosters solidarity, challenges stigma on campus, and strengthens the voices of young queer students in Gujarat.
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