Dutee Chand speaks up about her same-sex relationship, the first Indian athlete to do so

Winner of two silver medals at the Asian Games 2018 and a national record holder, Dutee Chand became the first Indian sportsperson to speak up about her same-sex relationship.

Dutee hails from Chaka Gopapur village in Jaipur district, and is currently training for the World Championship and Tokyo Olympics, which is next year.

“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,” Dutee told The Indian Express.

Dutee added she gained the confidence to speak up about her relationship after the Supreme Court struck down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, and decriminalised homosexuality. 

Also read: In a drug-prone village of Punjab, this man has made football the game changer

“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,” Dutee said.

Her road, though, is uphill as even though her family hasn’t directly objected her relationship, her elder sister has shown strong disapproval and Dutee claims, also threatened to expel her from the family.

Also read: Once Maoists, these women from Chhattisgarh are now part of the police force

“My eldest sister kind of wields power and authority in my family. She has thrown out my elder brother from home because she does not like his wife. She has threatened me that the same will happen to me. But I am also an adult who has individual freedom. So, I decided to go ahead with this and make it public,” Dutee told The Hindu.

Dutee said, another reason that motivated her to disclose her relationship was what sprinter Pinki Pramanik went through when she was accused of raping her live-in partner in 2012.

Do you have an interesting story to share? Please write to us at [email protected]. To stay updated with more positive news, please connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.  

Also read: India beats England as the 'kids in blue' lift the trophy at Street Child Cricket World Cup 2019