NRI Q Manivannan, Queer Activist Elected to Scottish Parliament

Los Angeles/ May 11, 2026
NRIpress.club/Ramesh/ A.Gary Singh

Q Manivannan, an NRI and prominent queer rights activist, has won a seat in the Scottish Parliament, marking a significant milestone in representation and diversity in Scottish politics.

Manivannan is widely known for advocacy on LGBTQ+ rights, social equality, and inclusion. Their election has been celebrated by supporters as an important step forward for minority and queer representation in public office.

Biography...

• Q Manivannan, born 1996 or 1997 (age 29–30) in Tamil Nadu, India
• Manivannan moved to Scotland in 2021 to pursue a doctoral research in international relations at the University of St Andrews.
• He holds prior degrees from Delhi and O.P. Jindal Global University and has worked in international peace studies at Trinity College Dublin.
• Describing himself as a “queer Tamil immigrant”, he also writes poetry and academic articles on suffering, care and queer politics.
• Before entering politics, Manivannan was active as a researcher and community organizer focusing on feminist ethics, queer masculinity and peacebuilding.
• His academic writing connects care and suffering with activist movements in South Asia.
• As an MSP, he represents one of the most diverse and inclusive voices in Holyrood, symbolizing the broad representation of immigrants and transgender people in Scottish public life.