When I was molested six years ago, I didn’t know who could I talk to without being judged, let alone make a complaint.” Model and artist Anwesh Sahoo, who was crowned Mr Gay World India in 2016 is speaking to us over a phone call from Delhi. At 21, Sahoo alleges that he was sexually assaulted by someone he knew, and then spent a whole day denying it had happened. “We have all grown up with the view that men don’t need to be protected. I have a sister, and when we were growing up, I was always expected to protect her. We somehow don’t feel the need to protect boys or men.”

Today, at 27, Sahoo works with Aristocrat Gaming, a firm he’s happy has been working towards being more inclusive. That he was asked what pronoun he preferred to be used for himself, was a good sign. “Here, I feel safe. I wouldn’t fear reporting an incident; the people are supportive.”