Shyam Konnur is the founder and director of Mist and Mr. Gay India 2020. Mist aspires to unite the LGBTQ and ally community and highlight their untapped abilities. Shyan has been battling with his sexuality since he was a teenager, but back then there wasn’t enough awareness of readily accessible information to help him. It took some time but he was aware of his sexuality despite the mob mentality.
Born and raised in a society where acceptance and visibility were often hard to come by, Shyam emerged as a powerful advocate for change. Shyam’s journey began with a profound personal realization of his own identity as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Recognizing the challenges faced by many like himself, he decided to use his voice and platform to make a difference. He dedicated himself to breaking stereotypes and pushing the boundaries of societal norms. This activism became the sole reason to start Mist LGBTQ Foundation
He has been an active participant in pride events, workshops, and discussions across the country, spreading awareness
about the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals and striving for inclusivity and acceptance. His dedication to education and awareness has been instrumental in breaking down stereotypes and misconceptions. In addition to his activism, Shyam is a firm believer in the power of storytelling and has used his own experiences to connect with others and foster a sense of community. He has shared his journey through various media outlets, helping others find the strength to embrace their true selves. Shyam has also been invited to be an TEDx speaker to speak about LGBTQ+
rights and activism.
Shyam is attempting to give the gay community a platform for expression through Mist. Neither do they have sufficient access to healthcare facilities nor do they have the safe space to exercise their fundamental human rights. Shyam has been fighting for the government to enact such facilities while ensuring that LGBTQIA+ individuals have access to healthcare and insurance. To strengthen the community and celebrate life’s happy moments, it aspires to unite the LGBT and ally communities. It offers a space for learning, sharing skills, and joining a bigger, all-inclusive family.
One thing that set Mr. Konnur different from the usual Indian trong was his sexual orientation. However, he eventually accepted that “being who you are” is okay. Soon he also understood that hundreds of individuals are out there fighting for the same thing struggling to be accepted for who they are. It was then that Shyam Konnur decided to take the reins of change-making for good and founded Mist. Since then, Mist spearheaded the Making LGBTQIA+ India Digital which aimed at providing website spaces for small CBOs and NGOs for free.
In a world where acceptance and understanding are paramount, Shyam’s tireless efforts to make the world a better place for all has been instrument and has been appreciated by many awards which includes, Winner of Entrepreneurs Today 40 Under 40 Awards 2022, 2022 Lokmat LGBTQ Digital Influencer Award Winner, Winner of Pune Mirror Hall of Fame for Sustainable Work in the field of LGBTQ Empowerment, and Winner of World HRD 101 Diversity & Inclusion Awards.
