Shaneel Lal, of Indian and native Fijian descent, is a queer rights activist based in New Zealand. Lal successfully led the movement to ban gay and gender conversion therapy in New Zealand. Lal authored the bestselling book One of Them sharing their story of surviving conversion therapy in a conservative village in Fiji.
Lal is involved in the movement to protect religious minorities, queer people and women from hate speech that incites violence and is working on changing blood donation policies to allow more gay men to be eligible to safely donate blood. Outside this, Lal has been advocating for an end to commercial greyhound racing.
Lal has written for multiple New Zealand news media platforms including The New Zealand Herald, The Guardian and Stuff NZ with a focus on investigating and providing commentary on issues affecting indigenous peoples, young people and queer people. Lal strongly believes that journalism is necessary for a healthy democracy, and holds power to enact justice.
Lal is a recent graduate of the University of Auckland Law School and is studying for a Master of Laws on treaty jurisprudence and indigenous rights. Lal has an interest in reforming youth justice systems, especially to ensure young people are rehabilitated and supported in society and do not become trapped in a lifetime of offending.
In 2023, Lal became the first openly queer person to win an award from the New Zealander of the Year awards.