Instagram as a platform is a space for people to express their emotions and share their experiences. Over the years, this platform has housed a strong community of diverse individuals. This also includes the Indian queer community, who is using social media as the means of spreading awareness. They creatively express themselves through their art, illustrations, poems, pictures and many other mediums too. The queer community in India is playing a vital role in educating people about issues like transphobia and homophobia. These LGBTQIA+ influencers are acing Instagram and breaking all gender stereotypes with their amazing content. Keep scrolling to know more about them!
1. Durga Gawde
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Durga Gawde is an artist, activist, educator and India’s first performing drag king. Moreover, they are one of India’s most prominent LGBTQIA+ influencers. With a following of over 20k people on Instagram, Durga’s content revolves around promoting queer advocacy and pointing out social issues. They are also a TEDx speaker and we find their vibe super positive!
2. Priyanka Paul
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Artwhoring is an Instagram page that is the brain baby of Priyanka Paul. She is a poet and illustrator who aims to inspire people and spread awareness through creative expression. Her content strongly revolves around sexual liberation and gender fluidity. Also, her illustrations are quite quirky and creative and will leave you wanting for more.
3. Sushant Divgikr
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Sushant Divgikar is someone who needs no introduction! He is extremely popular and is also known as ‘Rani KoHEnur‘. He has also been crowned Mr. Gay India in 2014. He is a singer, performer, drag artist and Reality TV star who blows us away with his confidence. Also, have you heard his music covers on Instagram? They literally have us shook! What a voice!
4. Alex Mathew
Preferred Pronoun In Drag: She/Her
Preferred Pronoun Out Of Drag: He/Him
Alex Mathew goes by the username ‘MayaTheDragQueen‘ and has more than 18k followers on Instagram. Mathew’s content revolves around the LGBTQIA+ community and she is a popular drag performer. Her character of ‘Mayamma’ aims to inspire people and spread positivity.
5. Alok V. Menon
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Alok Vaid Menon is a gender non-conforming fashionista, performer and speaker! Author of the book, ‘Beyond the Gender Binary‘ Alok has featured on multiple TV channels and raised awareness about transgender and the whole of LGBTQIA+ community. We are so proud of their work!
6. Vivek Shraya
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Vivek Shraya is a talented artist, musician, actress and an author of the book ‘I’m afraid of men‘. Shraya’s work aims to inspire people and make them aware of multiple topics like queerness, inclusion, etc. On her 35th birthday, she came out as a proud transwoman and also wrote a song about it. Through her work, she is breaking multiple social barriers and it’s so inspiring!
7. Anwesh Sahoo
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Anwesh Sahoo is an artist and illustrator who runs the Instagram page called ‘The Effeminare‘. He is a popular TEDx speaker who believes in drawing everything he loves. Through his illustrations, he aims to beautifully express his opinions on gender conformity and much more. Not just that, he has also crowned Mr. Gay World India in 2016. Way to go, we are so proud of your work!
8. Suruj Pankaj Rajkhowa
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Suruj Pankaj Rajkhowa a.k.a Glorious Luna is an actor and an androgynous model from a small town in Assam. He found his passion for performing arts and the content on his feed is super artistic. Not just that, he also runs the queer carnival, which is so inspiring!
The queer community in India is getting more and more empowered with the help of these talented influencers and artists. These noteworthy personalities from the LGBTQIA+ community are positively impacting the lives of many out there and we find them super inspiring.
9. Dr. Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju
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Dr. Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju is a doctor and a proud trans woman. She is an avid influencer and through her content, she aims to make people aware of social issues like transphobia. She has been through a lot in her life and her journey is super inspiring. We are so proud of her work!
Also, don’t forget to follow @missmalinitrending on Instagram to know more about your favourite influencers!