Gay Indian Prince Launches Magazine

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Gay Indian Prince Launches Magazine

Last Updated on Tuesday, 17 August 2010 11:44

Written by bttidwell, Tuesday, 17 August 2010

Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil, India's only openly gay prince, is launching his

second gay magazine.

Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil, India's only openly gay prince

The magazine, called " Fun, " is already 75,000 printed copies strong and is

available by subscription and will appear at bookstores and train stations.

" There was a need to highlight the issues faced by the community, which the

mainstream media did not address adequately. I also wanted to connect more with

my community. Then I thought this medium would be the best to reach out, " Gohil

told IANS.

" The magazine also appeals to straight women, basically anybody who loves men, "

said Gohil. " The other gay magazine, Bombay Dost, talks about gay empowerment

and HIV-related issues. But this is a magazine which speaks of the lifestyle of

gay men. We're focusing on fashion, fitness, gizmos and relationships … the real

life coming-out-of-the-closet kind of stories, health, relationships. It is a

complete lifestyle magazine that will interest all, not just gay men, lesbians,

bis, transgenders. "

Gohil, whose life was very typical of an Indian prince, married an Indian

princess through an arranged union and brought together two very prominent

families. After fifteen months, the marriage ended in divorce. " [it was] the

worst decision of my life. It was a total disaster, total failure, " Gohil said

to ABC news. Then, he came out publicly, causing riots in the streets and people

to burn his effigies. He was publicly disowned by his family in 2006, has since

made peace with his father and has become the face of queer India, promoting

AIDS/HIV awareness and doing everything he can to make gay OK.

" I don't blame them at all [for rioting and demanding I be

disowned/disinherited]. I'd probably do the same in their situation. I blame

their ignorance. I don't want to run away from the society that has burned my

effigy and I will educate them as to what is the truth and what is not the

truth. Unless they get that understanding, they won't change. "

Homosexuality in India was only recently decriminalized for consenting adults,

though it is still very taboo to talk about it. Of course, given Indian civil

society, it is taboo to talk about sex in general. Prince Gohil, being as

progressive as he is, feels that only open discussion will wash away the

ignorance surrounding the gay community and protect Indian society from the

dangers of HIV/AIDs, which is estimated to be only behind South Africa and

Nigeria in regards to population living with the virus. He continues to embark

on projects that will fight ignorance in the country.

The launch of `Fun' brings India up to seven lgbt publications in total. Even

though some are in the form of ezines, publishers are looking at printing

possibilities as the download rate ascends.

" This shows a growing confidence and optimism in the Indian queer community and

the need for expression of the younger generation, " says Ranjit Monga, a media

consultant and documentary filmmaker.

Prince Gohil knows that there is much work to be done. India has a long way to

go before it becomes free for everyone. " It's the reason I don't celebrate

Independence Day in India. India might have been freed in 1947 but gay India is

not free. We lost our independence in 1860 [with the ruling by the British

Government criminalizing homosexuality.] "

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