Shaneel Lal

Lal was born in Nausori, Fiji to a mixed iTaukei and Girmitiya family on 22 January 2000.{{Cite web|first=Taylor|last=Aumua|date=2020-02-13|title=Fiji-born Shaneel Lal a Pasifika voice in Pride|url=https://tpplus.co.nz/community/fiji-born-shaneel-lal-a-pasifika-voice-in-pride/|access-date=2022-01-10|website=TP+|language=en-NZ}} Lal comes from a Hindu family and was raised in a Hindu and Muslim community. After attending a Christian primary and high school in Fiji, Lal states that they "grew out of" religion and subscribes to indigenous spirituality.{{Cite web |title=The future is bright for the formidable Shaneel Lal {{!}} Ensemble Magazine |url=https://www.ensemblemagazine.co.nz/articles/shaneel-lal-interview |access-date=2021-12-17 |website=www.ensemblemagazine.co.nz}}

In Fiji, Lal was put into conversion therapy in an attempt to change their sexuality and gender identity.{{Cite web |last=ZB |title=Shaneel Lal: From undergoing childhood conversion therapy to LGBT rights activist |url=https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/nutters-club/shaneel-lal-from-undergoing-childhood-conversion-therapy-to-lgbt-rights-activist/ |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=ZB |language=en-nz}} The elders of the village prayed over Lal to free them of spirits that supposedly made Lal queer. Lal experienced conversion therapy as a challenge to their indigeneity and relationships with their ancestors.{{Cite web |last=Lal |first=Shaneel |title=My Queerness is Not an Evil Spirit to be Dispelled |url=https://pantograph-punch.com/posts/my-queerness-is-not-an-evil-spirit |access-date=2021-12-17 |website=Pantograph Punch}} Lal claims that precolonial indigenous queerness is distinct from colonial attitudes to and terms for queerness.{{Cite web |last=Lal |first=Shaneel |date=2022-02-17 |title=Pride Month: I cannot be free until all my people are free |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff-nation/127779885/pride-month-i-cannot-be-free-until-all-my-people-are-free |access-date=2022-05-09 |website=Stuff |language=en}} Lal argues that prior to colonisation, vakasalewalewa were integral to native Fijian society, and that colonisation and Christianity stripped Fijians of their rich queer identities and conditioned them with homophobia and transphobia.{{Cite web|last=Lal|first=Shaneel|title=The Genderless Void: A review of ATUA|url=https://pantograph-punch.com//posts/genderless-void,%20https://pantograph-punch.com//posts/genderless-void|access-date=2022-01-26|website=Pantograph Punch}}

In 2014, Lal moved to New Zealand with their family. Lal joined Otahuhu College and was named dux in 2018.{{Citation|last=Kaho|first=Simone|title=Shaneel Lal: 'It's difficult to imagine a world where queer people are free to just be'|date=30 April 2021|url=https://tpplus.co.nz/community/shaneel-lal-its-difficult-to-imagine-a-world-where-queer-people-are-free-to-just-be/|language=en-NZ|access-date=17 November 2021}}

Lal uses they/them pronouns and has described themself as trans, non-binary, vakasalewalewa and hijra.{{Cite web |last=Lal |first=Shaneel |title=Kaituhi Tūtahi {{!}} Contributing Writer |url=https://pantograph-punch.com//writers/shaneel-lal |access-date=2022-01-26 |website=Pantograph Punch}}{{Cite web |date=27 November 2021 |title=Shaneel Lal: 'As a trans person, how I dress dictates my safety' |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/style/300464003/shaneel-lal-as-a-trans-person-how-i-dress-dictates-my-safety |access-date=2 December 2021 |website=Stuff |language=en}}{{cite web |last=Gessler |first=Julia |date=14 December 2021 |title=Style Liaisons: In Conversation With Activist Shaneel Lal |url=https://www.viva.co.nz/article/fashion/style-liaisons-shaneel-lal/ |work=Viva}}

In the summer of 2017, Lal was volunteering at Middlemore Hospital when a church leader walked up to them and offered to pray their gay away. When Lal refused, the church leader wished hell upon them.{{Cite news|title=Greens table conversion therapy petition despite Government's promise to ban it by 2022|language=en|work=Newshub |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2021/02/greens-table-conversion-therapy-petition-despite-government-s-promise-to-ban-it-by-2022.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210223025030/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2021/02/greens-table-conversion-therapy-petition-despite-government-s-promise-to-ban-it-by-2022.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 February 2021|access-date=17 November 2021}}{{Cite web|last=Lal|first=Shaneel|date=9 February 2021|title=While the ban on conversion therapy is delayed, queer people are being tortured|url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/09-02-2021/while-the-ban-on-conversion-therapy-is-delayed-queer-people-are-being-tortured/|access-date=17 November 2021|website=The Spinoff }}

Lal's speech at the 2019 Youth Parliament to ban conversion therapy received a standing ovation.{{Citation|title=General Debate Speech Shaneel Shavneel Lal Youth Parliament 2019|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAQPp1W6Da4|language=en|access-date=2021-12-15}} Following this, Lal was targeted online with homophobic abuse.{{Cite news|title=Youth MP's call for gay conversion therapy ban exposes homophobic underbelly|language=en|work=Newshub |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2019/07/youth-mp-s-call-for-gay-conversion-therapy-ban-exposes-homophobic-underbelly.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724124035/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2019/07/youth-mp-s-call-for-gay-conversion-therapy-ban-exposes-homophobic-underbelly.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 July 2019|access-date=17 November 2021}} In an interview with Breakfast in 2020, Lal labelled conversion therapy "state sanctioned torture". Lal told interviewer Jenny-May Clarkson that numerous queer people pray to God to "heal them, or kill them". Following this interview, Massey University lecturer Steve Elers wrote an opinion piece for the Manawatu Guardian, republished by The New Zealand Herald, dismissing the issue of conversion therapy.{{Cite web|title=Steve Elers: Be yourself and be free ... do you|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/manawatu-guardian/news/steve-elers-be-yourself-and-be-free-do-you/ONLI5ILKROM2S2RDD245XNGRFE/|access-date=2021-12-02|website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}} David Farrier defended Lal in his blog Webworm, and the subsequent media attention led to Elers's opinion column being cancelled.{{Cite web|last=Farrier|first=David|title=Homophobia, transphobia, & Massey University|url=https://www.webworm.co/p/homophobia-transphobia-and-massey|access-date=17 November 2021|website=www.webworm.co}}{{Cite web|last=Farrier|first=David|title=Cancel Culture vs Doing a Bad Job|url=https://www.webworm.co/p/cancel-culture-vs-doing-a-bad-job|access-date=2021-12-02|website=www.webworm.co}}{{Cite web|title=Controversial Massey lecturer announces plans to publish book in 2021|url=https://www.massivemagazine.org.nz/articles/controversial-massey-lecturer-announces-plans-to-publish-book-in-2021|access-date=2021-12-02|website=Massive Magazine|language=en-US}}

Lal founded the Conversion Therapy Action Group in 2019 to work towards ending conversion therapy in New Zealand. During the 2020 New Zealand general election, Lal and CTAG pressured the New Zealand Labour Party to commit to banning conversion therapy in New Zealand.{{Cite news|title=NZ Election 2020: Activists praise Labour's commitment to ban conversion therapy|language=en|work=Newshub |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/10/nz-election-2020-activists-praise-labour-s-commitment-to-ban-conversion-therapy.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005112815/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/10/nz-election-2020-activists-praise-labour-s-commitment-to-ban-conversion-therapy.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 October 2020|access-date=17 November 2021}} Lal worked with the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand to deliver a petition of over more than 150,000 signatures to ban conversion therapy.{{Cite web|date=8 March 2021|title=Conversion therapy ban petition: Takatāpui 'inherent to our culture'|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/437894/conversion-therapy-ban-petition-takatapui-inherent-to-our-culture|access-date=17 November 2021|website=RNZ |language=en-nz}}

In July, the Minister of Justice, Kris Faafoi, introduced the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Bill. Lal criticised the Bill, calling it an "inadequate bill that fails to ban the practice or compensate the victims". Lal argued that the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Bill would not allow the police to prosecute offenders and would allow conversion therapy to continue.{{Cite web|last=Lal|first=Shaneel|date=2021-08-30|title=The conversion therapy bill must be amended if survivors are to get justice|url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/30-08-2021/the-conversion-therapy-bill-must-be-amended-if-survivors-are-to-get-justice|access-date=2021-12-15|website=The Spinoff }} The Justice Select Committee hearing submissions on the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Bill received over 100,000 submissions following Lal's online campaign, breaking the record for the number of submissions.{{Cite web|date=14 September 2021|title=Record-breaking number of submissions on law proposing to ban conversion therapy|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/126378262/recordbreaking-number-of-submissions-on-law-proposing-to-ban-conversion-therapy|access-date=17 November 2021|website=Stuff |language=en}}

In February 2021, the Minister of Justice announced that a ban on conversion therapy would be enacted at the end of 2021 or in February 2022, at the latest.{{Cite web|title=Government reaffirms urgent commitment to ban harmful conversion practices|url=http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government-reaffirms-urgent-commitment-ban-harmful-conversion-practices|access-date=2021-12-15|website=The Beehive|language=en}} Lal claimed that this was "an astounding commitment" because at that point, Labour hadn't done foundational work towards their goal.{{Cite web|last=Lal|first=Shaneel|date=2021-12-16|title=New Zealand won't ban conversion therapy in 2021, and here's why|url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/16-12-2021/new-zealand-wont-ban-conversion-therapy-in-2021-and-heres-why|access-date=2021-12-15|website=The Spinoff }} Leading up to the second reading of the Bill, Lal launched a petition asking the Labour Party to amend the Bill through Supplementary Order Papers at the Committee of the whole House. Lal argued that the Labour Party ignored the voices of queer people and put forward an inadequate and ineffective Bill after the select committee process. The petition asked the Government to remove the 18-year age limit to include all ages, to remove the provision that the Attorney-General needed to give consent for prosecutions and to provide ACC coverage for the harm caused by conversion therapy.{{Cite web|last=Lal|first=Shaneel|date=2021-08-30|title=The conversion therapy bill must be amended if survivors are to get justice|url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/30-08-2021/the-conversion-therapy-bill-must-be-amended-if-survivors-are-to-get-justice|access-date=2021-12-18|website=The Spinoff }} The Labour Party did not accept any recommendations.{{Cite web|last=Whyte|first=Anna|title=18K petition calls for stronger conversion practices bill|url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/02/09/18k-petition-calls-for-stronger-conversion-practices-bill/|access-date=9 February 2022|date=9 February 2022|website=1 News}}

The Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Bill passed at third reading on 15 February 2022.{{Cite web|title=Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Bill - New Zealand Parliament|url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/bills-and-laws/bills-proposed-laws/document/BILL_113397/conversion-practices-prohibition-legislation-bill|access-date=2022-02-19|website=www.parliament.nz|language=en}} Lal stated that it was "disheartening" that the bill only protected children (because people over 18 would have to prove they suffered "serious harm" under a strict legal definition) and did not include Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) coverage for mental harm.{{Cite news|title=Conversion therapy practices now illegal in New Zealand after law passes final hurdle in Parliament|language=en|work=Newshub |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2022/02/conversion-therapy-practices-now-illegal-in-new-zealand-after-law-passes-final-hurdle-in-parliament.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215074804/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2022/02/conversion-therapy-practices-now-illegal-in-new-zealand-after-law-passes-final-hurdle-in-parliament.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 February 2022|access-date=2022-02-19}} Nonetheless, Lal said that New Zealand's ban on conversion therapy is a win for humanity, not just the queer community, and asserted that queer rights are human rights.{{Cite web|date=2022-02-15|title=New Zealand bans conversion practices in vote hailed as 'win for humanity'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/16/new-zealand-bans-conversion-practices-in-vote-hailed-as-win-for-humanity|access-date=2022-02-19|website=The Guardian |language=en}}

Lal stated that they received a death threat after the passing of the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Bill. Lal dismissed the threats and instead called for celebration.{{Cite web|title=Conversion therapy ban: Activist shrugs off death threats|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/enjoy-the-victory-activist-calls-for-celebration-despite-death-threats-after-conversion-therapy-ban/UDFC2Z7WW4TJDSJ3F7YQTPMWME/|access-date=2022-02-19|website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}} Lal told VICE World News that the ban on conversion therapy is a gift to future generations of queer people.{{Cite web |title='A Win for Humanity': New Zealand Bans Conversion Therapy |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/5dgkd5/new-zealand-bans-conversion-therapy |access-date=2022-02-19 |website=www.vice.com |language=en}}

In 2022, Vogue magazine published an online article in celebration of Lal's efforts to ban conversion therapy in New Zealand. Vogue wrote that "Lal's call for New Zealand to reform the laws around conversion therapy have made a major impact".{{Cite web|last=Allaire|first=Christian|date=2022-02-16|title=Shaneel Lal, an Anti-Conversion Therapy Activist, Uses Style For Queer Liberation|url=https://www.vogue.com/article/shaneel-lal-an-anti-conversion-therapy-activist-uses-style-for-queer-liberation|access-date=2022-02-19|website=Vogue|language=en-US}}

In 2022, Lal shared an article to their Instagram detailing how Bethlehem College in Tauranga requires all students and their families to demonstrate a commitment to the belief that marriage is only between a man and a woman. Former and present students responded to the Instagram post, accusing the school of abuse. Lal said the students made allegations including victim blaming of people who alleged they were raped, racism and blackface incidents, and conversion therapy practices. Lal started a petition calling for the Education Review Office to launch an independent investigation into Bethlehem College and for the Ministry of Education, the Minister of Education and the Associate Ministers of Education to support the investigation. Lal said that when they "posted about the issue of homophobia at Bethlehem College, I did not realise the gravity of the abuse the former and present students have been experiencing at Bethlehem College."{{Cite web |last1=Houpt |first1=Emma |last2=Olivier |first2=Cira |date=14 June 2022 |title=5600 sign petition for investigation into alleged 'abuse' at Bethlehem College |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/bethlehem-college-petition-calls-for-independent-investigation-into-alleged-abuse-at-the-school/JXDXXNZZCJSQULSOYRREWUAXQY/ |access-date=2022-08-16 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}}

Since May 2022, Lal has argued that the New Zealand Blood Service should allow gay men in monogamous relationships, who have had sex only with each other in the last three months, to donate blood.{{Cite web |last=O'Brien |first=Tova |title=Two Sides: Is it time to remove blanket bans on gay men donating blood? |url=https://www.todayfm.co.nz/home/national/2022/05/two-sides-is-it-time-to-remove-blanket-bans-on-gay-men-donating-blood.html |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=todayfm.co.nz |language=en}} Researchers estimate that about thirty-five thousand people would be able to give blood if New Zealand Blood Service took this approach.{{Cite journal |last1=Saxton |first1=Peter J. W. |last2=McAllister |first2=Susan M. |date=2019-01-09 |title=Enumerating the population eligible for funded HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in New Zealand |url=https://www.publish.csiro.au/sh/SH18058 |journal=Sexual Health |language=en |volume=16 |issue=1 |pages=63–69 |doi=10.1071/SH18058 |issn=1449-8987 |pmid=30620884 |s2cid=58563207}} Lal says the blanket ban on gay blood donation rules out people who could safely donate blood but who are not allowed to because they are gay. In October 2022, Lal argued that anyone who hadn't had a new sexual partner and anal sex, or who hadn't had multiple sexual partners and anal sex within the last three months, should be allowed to donate blood if they carry no infections.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-18 |title=Shaneel Lal: Homophobic stigma in blood donation policies |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/shaneel-lal-homophobic-stigma-is-in-the-blood-of-the-donation-policies/3NAABNMYKCNVDAUVM6HXEOBR4Q/ |access-date=2023-05-18 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}}

In February 2023, Lal advocated for New Zealand Blood Service and Medsafe to use individualised donor behaviour criteria to determine eligibility of blood donors. Lal wanted the question to be "have you had sex with more than one person, or a new person, in the last three months?” instead of asking questions about a donor's sexuality.{{Cite web |title=Shaneel Lal: Blood Service finally answers my questions about gay men and blood donation |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/shaneel-lal-new-zealand-blood-service-needs-policy-shift-so-gay-men-can-donate-blood/MXULESMPPJBZPE3U53IQBYLGH4/ |access-date=2023-05-02 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}} Lal claimed that if the "stars align", the Sex and Prevention of Transmission Study "will provide [New Zealand Blood Service] with the necessary scientific evidence to make a proposal to Medsafe to utilise an individualised risk assessment for gay men wanting to donate blood". In May 2023, Lal said that New Zealand Blood Services had sufficient international evidence demonstrating it was safe to use individualised risk assessment to determine donor eligibility.{{Cite news |last=Wilton |first=Perry |title=New Zealand Blood Service reviewing 'archaic' restrictions on gay men donating blood |language=en |work=Newshub |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2023/05/new-zealand-blood-service-reviewing-archaic-restrictions-on-gay-men-donating-blood.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230527105404/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2023/05/new-zealand-blood-service-reviewing-archaic-restrictions-on-gay-men-donating-blood.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 May 2023 |access-date=2023-05-30}} Lal believes that the blanket ban on gay men giving blood should be removed.{{Cite web |title=Signing off for now 👋 |url=https://us18.campaign-archive.com/?u=cb1dcbd617982eb61503b9f18&id=98b8760145&e=86c2ee10b8 |access-date=2023-05-18 |website=us18.campaign-archive.com}}{{Cite web |last=Mahon-Heap |first=Jonny |date=2023-03-31 |title='I almost didn't show up': Shaneel Lal on their Young New Zealander of the Year win |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/news/300844161/i-almost-didnt-show-up-shaneel-lal-on-their-young-new-zealander-of-the-year-win |access-date=2023-05-30 |website=Stuff |language=en}}

In 2022, Lal launched a petition calling the Labour Party to protect queer people, women and disabled people from hate speech. The petition gained over 10,000 signatures.{{Cite web |title=Human Rights Act: Petition calls for women, queer and disabled people to be protected |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/human-rights-act-petition-calls-for-women-queer-and-disabled-people-to-be-protected/SVV7JXD4UFEPDFWRHWQ7GFO3VI/ |access-date=2022-12-24 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}} Lal wrote in their NZ Herald column that "the Labour Party's failure to prohibit anti-queer hate speech will embolden anti-queer groups, extremist religious groups, and right-wing groups to incite violence against queer people."{{Cite web |title=Shaneel Lal: Anti-queer hatred and violence at an all-time high |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/shaneel-lal-hate-speech-ban-should-extend-to-queers-women-and-disabled/Y5OPYKW7ZBEUJKVF6WZEUHJDXA/ |access-date=2022-12-24 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}}

Following a 2022 arson attack on RainbowYOUTH's Tauranga Drop-In Centre, Lal set up a Givealittle which raised $84,000.{{Cite web |title=Rainbow Youth Tauranga Drop-in Centre Burnt Down in a suspicious fire |url=https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/rainbow-youth-tauranga-drop-in-centre-burnt-down |access-date=2022-08-16 |website=Givealittle |language=en}}

Lal is calling on the Pacific Islands to decriminalise homosexuality. Following a 2021 Green Party event celebrating 35 Years of Homosexual Law Reform, Lal criticised the lack of action by New Zealand's Pākehā queer community to support the decriminalisation of homosexuality in the Pacific Islands and addressed the racism in the New Zealand queer community. A petition called on Rainbow Youth to expel them from Rainbow Youth's board.{{Cite web|date=15 July 2021|title=Rainbow Youth Board Member Lashes Out at "White Gays" {{!}} express Magazine|url=https://gayexpress.co.nz/2021/07/rainbow-youth-board-member-lashes-out-at-white-gays/|access-date=17 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715084500/https://gayexpress.co.nz/2021/07/rainbow-youth-board-member-lashes-out-at-white-gays/ |archive-date=15 July 2021 }} Pasifika communities have celebrated Lal for their advocacy for queer Pasifika voices and issues. The Coconet wrote that "Shaneel Lal is a multifaceted and intersectional activist. They have been vocal and influential in bringing to light various issues around racism, transphobia, indigenous land issues, systemic injustice and much more.{{Cite web|title=PRIDE - PASIFIKA STORIES - SHANEEL LAL |url=https://www.thecoconet.tv/coco-talanoa/humans-of-the-islands/pride-pasifika-stories-shaneel-lal/|access-date=2022-01-10|website=www.thecoconet.tv}}

At the 2021 Auckland Pride March, Lal confronted anti-queer Christian protestors.{{Cite web|title='God will never forgive you': Protesters confronted at Auckland Pride March|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/god-will-never-forgive-you-protesters-confronted-at-auckland-pride-march/4BSLYSJ5H4FA67AJ63UXJJYEFM/|access-date=17 November 2021|website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}}

In 2023, Lal helped organise a counter-protest of a women's rights rally organised by the British anti-transgender activist Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull in Auckland.{{Cite web |title='From one human to another, I implore you to show up today' — Shaneel Lal |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/shaneel-lal-why-im-organising-a-counterprotest-against-kellie-jay-keen-minshullposie-parker-in-auckland/AMU4ZXX6AZCINJ5DIKJWE5BI3A/ |access-date=2023-04-05 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}}{{Cite web |title=Shaneel Lal thanks Auckland after anti-trans activist Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull's non event |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/posie-parker-in-nz-shaneel-lal-thanks-auckland-after-anti-trans-activist-kellie-jay-keens-event/VOLAJBYBVZGATCUMVWSM2SSAMU/ |access-date=2023-04-05 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}}{{Cite web |title='Rather ironic' - Sean Plunket says Twitter ban 'troll attack' |url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/04/03/rather-ironic-sean-plunket-says-twitter-ban-troll-attack/ |access-date=2023-04-05 |website=1 News |language=en}} Keen-Minshull was escorted out of Albert Park after she was assaulted by a protestor, and cancelled her other rally in New Zealand.{{Cite web |title=Posie Parker's Wellington event reportedly cancelled |url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/03/25/posie-parkers-wellington-event-reportedly-cancelled/ |access-date=2023-04-05 |website=1 News |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-03-25 |title=Posie Parker drowned out by thousands |url=https://www.newsroom.co.nz/page/posey-parker-drowned-out-by-thousands |access-date=2023-04-05 |website=Newsroom |language=en-AU}}

Lal advised the Minister of Education, Chris Hipkins for three years as a member of the Minister's youth advisory group.{{Cite web |date=23 November 2017 |title=Youth Advisory Group members announced |url=https://educationcentral.co.nz/youth-advisory-group-members-announced/ |access-date=17 November 2021 |publisher=Education Central |language=en-NZ}} Lal has sat on Amnesty International's Youth Task Force.{{Cite web |date=3 October 2019 |title=Meet the Youth Task Force! |url=https://nextstrategy.amnesty.org/2019/10/03/youth-task-force/ |access-date=17 November 2021}} Lal has served as a Global Youth Leader for Open Government Partnership. In 2019, Lal was selected by Jenny Salesa to represent Manukau East in the New Zealand Youth Parliament.

In 2020, Lal was a finalist for Mr Gay New Zealand, a competition run by Express Magazine.{{Cite web |title=A queer beauty pageant that's moving away from just looking good |url=https://www.renews.co.nz/a-queer-beauty-pageant-thats-moving-away-from-just-looking-good/ |access-date=17 November 2021 |website=Re |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Magazine |first=express |date=9 February 2020 |title=Your Mr Gay New Zealand 2020 is Liam Reid |url=https://gayexpress.co.nz/2020/02/your-mr-gay-new-zealand-2020-is-liam-reid/ |access-date=17 November 2021 |website=express Magazine |language=en-US}}

• 2020: 1News named Lal a young leader that inspired New Zealand.{{Cite web |title=2020 in review: Young New Zealanders who inspired us |url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2020/12/29/2020-in-review-young-new-zealanders-who-inspired-us/ |access-date=17 November 2021 |website=1 News}}
• 2021: Impact Award for Inclusion for their work to end conversion therapy in New Zealand.{{Cite web|title=Shaneel Lal – Inclusion Impact Award 2020|url=https://www.theimpactawards.nz/blog-posts/meet-shaneel-lal|access-date=17 November 2021|website=The Impact Awards|language=en-US}} A special award by the Pacific Cooperation Foundation for Inclusion, namely their work for equality for queer Pacific peoples.{{Cite web|title=Inaugural awards recognise service leadership in NZ and the Pacific|url=https://www.mpp.govt.nz/news-and-media/new-news-article-44/|access-date=17 November 2021|website=Ministry for Pacific Peoples|language=en-US}} Lal featured on the cover of New Zealand Herald VIVA magazine for the 2021 People of Year edition, which featured non-conformists who helped define 2021.{{Cite web|last=Magazine|first=Viva|title=People Of The Year: Shaneel Lal Is A Powerful Voice Of A Generation - Viva|url=https://www.viva.co.nz/article/culture-travel/shaneel-lal-is-a-powerful-voice-of-a-generation/|access-date=2021-12-19|website=www.viva.co.nz|date=18 December 2021 |language=en-US}} Lal was featured in a VICE world documentary called The New Resistance, which covered young activists around the world creating transformative change.{{Citation |title=The Youths Demanding Justice for Beirut, Breonna, and LGBTQ+ I The New Resistance Episode 7 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtmiCOdygZQ |access-date=17 November 2021 |language=en}}
• 2022: Vogue magazine featured Lal in Youthquake, an edition celebrating Gen-Z creators.{{Cite web|date=2022-02-16|title=Shaneel Lal, an Anti-Conversion Therapy Activist, Uses Style For Queer Liberation|url=https://www.vogue.com/article/shaneel-lal-an-anti-conversion-therapy-activist-uses-style-for-queer-liberation|access-date=2022-02-19|website=Vogue|language=en-US}} Lal was listed in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Class of 2022 for their work to ban conversion therapy in New Zealand.{{Cite web |last=Watson |first=Rana Wehbe |title=Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2022: The Social Entrepreneurs Working Towards A More Equal Future |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/ranawehbe/2022/05/25/forbes-30-under-30-asia-2022-the-social-entrepreneurs-working-towards-a-more-equal-future/ |access-date=2022-05-26 |website=Forbes |language=en}}
• On 30 March 2023, Lal was named Young New Zealander of the Year. They are the first transgender recipient of any New Zealander of the Year Awards.{{cite web |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/300843445/young-new-zealander-of-the-year-first-trans-recipient-in-awards-13year-history |title=Young New Zealander of the Year first trans recipient in awards' 13-year history |date=30 March 2023 |work=Stuff |first=Amberleigh |last=Jack}}

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Category:2000 births

Category:Living people

Category:People from Nausori

Category:I-Taukei Fijian people

Category:New Zealand LGBTQ rights activists

Category:New Zealand LGBTQ models

Category:Fijian people of Indian descent

Category:Fijian emigrants to New Zealand

Category:People educated at Otahuhu College

Category:Transgender non-binary people

Category:New Zealand Youth MPs

Category:Non-binary models

Category:Fijian transgender people

Category:Fijian non-binary people

Category:Non-binary activists

Category:New Zealand transgender people

Category:New Zealand non-binary people

Category:Vakasalewalewa

Category:21st-century Fijian LGBTQ people