We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Pliny Soocoormanee a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Pliny , thank you so much for joining us and offering your lessons and wisdom for our readers. One of the things we most admire about you is your generosity and so we’d love if you could talk to us about where you think your generosity comes from.
My generosity stems from two key influences in my life. Growing up, I witnessed my parents, both nurses, tirelessly serving our community in Mauritius. Despite the demanding nature of their work in healthcare, they often extended their care beyond their jobs, offering their time and assistance freely to neighbours, extended family, and even strangers. Their selflessness left a lasting impression on me.
Personally, I’ve been fortunate to have received support from various people throughout my life. I recognize that I may never be able to repay them directly. Still, I view my efforts to help others—whether it’s LGBTQ+ individuals facing persecution or a homeless person I encounter while shopping—as a way of paying it forward. While I know I can’t solve all the world’s problems, I believe that making a difference in even one person’s life is a step in the right direction.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My activism journey began during my time at the University of Wolverhampton, UK, sparked by the 2012 campaign for same-sex marriage. The absurd arguments against it—like claims that it would lead to people marrying their pets or cause natural disasters—left me outraged. That anger pushed me to join the LGBT+ student society and later, the LGBT+ staff network.
Fast forward 12 years, and I am now an executive officer for Peter Tatchell, a renowned human rights campaigner known for his work with LGBT+ social movements. Working with the Peter Tatchell Foundation allows me to remain on the front lines, advocating for human rights across the globe.
One of the most significant aspects of my work is helping refugees navigate the UK asylum system. Seeking refuge is an act of desperation, and for many LGBT+ refugees, it’s a terrifying leap into the unknown. I focus on empowering these individuals, helping them find their voices in a new and often intimidating environment. I work closely with organizations like the Gay Indian Network (GIN) and the Out and Proud African LGBTI (OPAL) group to facilitate this transition, ensuring that these refugees can connect with the LGBT+ community and form new, supportive bonds.
My activism has also involved direct action and confrontation with authorities. Despite our peaceful and nonviolent approach, I’ve been detained by UK police for disrupting an Anglo-Iranian oil company meeting to defend the rights of Ahwazi Arabs in Iran. I’ve also confronted the chief constable of West Midlands Police as part of our #ApologiseNow campaign, demanding accountability for historical LGBT+ witch hunts. Additionally, I’ve contributed to reports on the economic costs of homophobia and supported persecuted LGBT+ activists in Bangladesh, while advocating for compensation for male victims of anti-gay laws.
Challenging the status quo comes with risks, as I’ve experienced firsthand. In India, Peter Tatchell and I were placed under house arrest in our hotel and questioned by police for over two hours. Even when allowed outside, I was tailed by a plainclothes officer, making me feel like I was in a Bollywood movie. Our only ‘crime’ was raising awareness about human rights and LGBT+ rights. Despite not holding a protest, our efforts contributed to a significant victory when the International Olympic Committee amended the Olympic Charter to strengthen its human rights commitments.
My work is driven by a deep commitment to standing in solidarity with the oppressed and fighting against injustice, no matter the risks involved.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are perseverance, maintaining a positive attitude, and seeing the good in people—believing that a stranger is simply a friend I haven’t met yet. My formative years at St. Andrew’s School and the University of Wolverhampton also played a crucial role in shaping these traits.
For those early in their journey, my advice is to be passionate but also to be mindful of burnout, especially in activism, where we often encounter overwhelming negativity. It’s vital to protect your mental health by finding a balance. For instance, I avoid watching horror movies because I hear enough real-life horror stories from LGBT+ refugees. Having a healthy escape from the harsh realities we face is crucial. That’s why I immerse myself in Napoleonic and Roman reenactment—on weekends, I get to time travel to the 18th century or the 1st century, which provides a refreshing and necessary break.
So, stay passionate, but also find ways to recharge and protect your well-being. This balance will help sustain you in the long run.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
It’s difficult to pinpoint just one thing my parents did that was most important to me because there have been many significant moments throughout my life. Believing in me and giving me the space to grow were crucial. However, one of the most impactful experiences was when I came out. Initially, my parents were upset, and we didn’t speak for almost a year. Despite the pain, I knew it was important to live as my authentic self.
Over time, we kept a communication channel open, and eventually, our relationship began to heal. A few years ago, my dad attended his first Gay Film Festival in Shrewsbury, and my mum even came to Pride. This journey showed me that people can change and that it’s possible to work together towards self-transformation. The fact that my parents now actively support LGBT+ rights means the world to me.
Their evolution and acceptance have been incredibly meaningful, demonstrating that love and understanding can grow even after difficult moments.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pliny_s/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005773728120
- Twitter: https://x.com/Pliny_1S
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