About me
Rahul Upadhyay (they/them) is an Indian human rights activist, the Founding Director of the Gandhinagar Queer Pride Foundation, and the organizer of Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad Prides—two of the most prominent LGBTQIA+ events in Gujarat. A tireless advocate for queer rights, Rahul has supported thousands of LGBTQIA+ individuals across India, rescuing people from hostile environments, organizing sensitization workshops with students, corporates and local authorities, leading campaigns on sexual health, HIV & STIs and safety. Their work has also extended to addressing crimes against the queer community, including spearheading efforts that led to formal police investigations into scams targeting LGBTQIA+ individuals on dating apps.
On the global stage, Rahul serves as the Co-President of InterPride, representing voices from across Asia. They have also served as the co-chair of the WorldPride Committee, overseeing the bidding process for the world’s largest Pride celebration. In 2020, they played a historic role as the Lead Curator of Global Pride, the largest virtual Pride event ever held, coordinating content across multiple time zones and countries.
Rahul’s leadership and vision have earned them invitations to speak at major international conferences and human rights summits in Madrid, Copenhagen, Sydney, Bangkok, Athens, to name a few, contributing to global dialogues on LGBTQIA+ inclusion, activism, and justice.
Driven by a deep commitment to equity, visibility, and grassroots empowerment, Rahul continues to shape the future of queer activism in India and beyond—amplifying underrepresented voices and advancing the global LGBTQIA+ movement.
