India’s fastest female sprinter, Dutee Chand, has revealed that she is in a same-sex relationship with her “soulmate” who is a girl from her hometown of Chaka Gopalpur in Orissa, reported The Indian Express. Chand refused to identify her partner as she did not want make her “the centre of undue attention”.
This is the first time that an Indian sports star has publicly admitted to being in a same-sex relationship. Chand holds the 100 metres national record and has won two silver medals at the 2018 Asian Games. She is currently training for the world championships, with her eyes set firmly on a medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, so she doesn’t have any immediate plans of “settling down.”
Dutee told The Indian Express:
“I have found someone who is my soulmate. I believe everyone should have the freedom to be with whoever they decide they want to be with. I have always supported the rights of those who want to be in a same-sex relationship. It is an individual person’s choice.”
She said that she gained the courage to speak out about this after the Supreme Court’s historic decision to decriminalise Section 377 which prohibited same sex relationships.
“The Supreme Court of India has also struck down the old law. I believe nobody has the right to judge me as an athlete because of my decision to be with who I want. It is a personal decision, which should be respected. I will continue to strive to win medals for India at international meets,” she said.
Dutee has long been an outspoken voice against eligibility restrictions for women in athletic events, such as testosterone caps.
Though same-sex relationships are no longer criminal, same-sex marriage is still not legal in India.
(With inputs from The Indian Express.)
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