Two Gay Royals

Prince Mavendra Singh Gohil is the presumed heir of the Maharaja of

Rajpipla in Gujarat, and is openly gay. He loves going on TV to talk about it. However, there is some doubt as to whether he would eventually inherit his father’s mantle. He claims not to have known about his homosexuality until it after he was married off. If at first he was adulated by Rajpipla, and even was a role model to the town, he became a subject of derision and ridicule once the truth emerged. The people who had cheered his appearance once, now heckled him, and burnt his effigy for what they said, was the shame he had brought upon them. His family disowned him, although it is not clear of the extent of that. He has often said that he regrets ruining the life of the woman he married, but he did not know any better. He thought that marriage would “straighten” him up. Since he came out, he started not only campaigning for LGBT rights, but transformed his palace into

a refuge for Gays and Lesbians. He campaigns vigorously, promoting tolerance and preaching love. Give us a little love, he says, and we will fill you with love to overflowing.

And he has a lot of catching up to do, having lived in the closet for so long.

On the other hand Sultan Qabboos bin Sayid al Said came to the throne of