The hospitality industry is all about making guests feel welcome and relaxed. Yet for many LGBTQ+ professionals, finding that same sense of belonging within workplaces has remained a dream, while others have helped turn that aspiration into a reality.
Over the past decade, India’s hospitality sector, ranging from luxury hotels, restaurants, bars and travel experiences, has emerged as one of the more progressive spaces for conversations around diversity, representation and workplace inclusion.
LGBTQ+ professionals are stepping into leadership roles, bringing a more inclusive perspective to guest experiences, driving innovation and helping redefine what modern hospitality looks like. While challenges around acceptance, visibility and equal opportunities continue to exist, stories of resilience and progress are becoming more visible across the industry.
Despite taking meaningful steps towards the inclusion of LGBTQ+ professionals, they continue facing barriers ranging from workplace prejudice and hiring bias to limited representation in leadership roles. Many also point to inadequate anti-harassment protections and the absence of sensitisation among colleagues, making workplace acceptance a fundamental challenge. This restricts members of the LGBTQ+ community from bringing their authentic selves to work without fear of judgment or discrimination.
To foster equal participation and inclusion in the workplace, leaders in the industry have taken initiatives ranging from free mental health counselling, creating equitable job opportunities, training and skill development workshops to regular support to NGOs that engage with these marginalised communities to bring a change in the lives of the professionals.
In the spirit of celebrating voices from the LGBTQ+ community in Indian hospitality, here is a list of prominent personalities from the industry.
Keshav Suri
Keshav Suri, Executive Director of The LaLiT Hotels, has emerged as one of the most influential voices from the LGBTQIA+ community in Indian hospitality. Through inclusive hiring practices, sensitisation programmes and advocacy for equal rights, he has helped position hospitality as a sector capable of driving meaningful social change alongside luxury experiences.
Ritu Dalmia
Celebrated chef and restaurateur Ritu Dalmia has long been a visible LGBTQ+ voice within India’s food and hospitality landscape. Through her culinary ventures and public advocacy, she has contributed to broader conversations around authenticity, representation and acceptance, helping shape a more inclusive culture across restaurants and hospitality spaces.
Suvir Saran
American-Indian chef, restaurateur and cookbook author, Suvir Saran has built an international culinary reputation while being an openly gay voice in hospitality. Through his restaurants, writing and public advocacy, he has consistently championed diversity, inclusion and authentic representation within the global food and hospitality ecosystem.
Ami Shroff
Flair bartender and performance mixologist Ami Shroff has helped bring greater visibility to LGBTQ+ professionals in hospitality. Known for combining bartending with entertainment and guest engagement, Shroff represents a new generation of hospitality talent contributing to a more inclusive and diverse industry culture.
