Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil, the world’s only openly gay royal is visiting Sydney next month to help raise awareness about improving HIV prevention in the Asia-Pacific region.

Gohil is the Crown Prince of the Indian state of Rajpipla in Gujarat is the founder of the Lakshya Trust, a leading HIV organisation in Gujarat. He made headlines around the world in 2005 after he was disowned by his family when he came out as a gay man. He has since reconciled with his family, but his coming out ignited debate in India on gay rights, especially the decriminalisation of homosexuality. In July this year, the issue was put to the fore when New Delhi’s High Court deemed unconstitutional laws which prohibit consensual homosexual sex in private.

Gohil, whose visited is being coordinated by ACON with the assistance of the Burnet Insitutre and the Australia-India Council, will be addressing a free community forum on Wednesday, November 4 at Paddington RSL to discuss GLBT rights, his coming out journey and HIV prevention in India.

Source: http://www.sxnews.e-p.net.au/