Indian sprinter Dutee Chand reveals that she is in a same-sex relationship

She said the girl she loves belongs to her hometown in Odisha. She did not reveal the identity of the woman.

Dutee Chand, the 100 m record holder and winner of two silver medals at the 2018 Asian Games, told Indian Express newspaper: "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. Currently, my focus is on the World Championships and the Olympic Games but in the future I would like to settle down with her," she said, becoming the first Indian sports star to acknowledge being in a same-sex relationship.

“I have always believed that everyone should have the freedom to love. There is no greater emotion than love and it should not be denied. 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,” Dutee said.

India, however, does not recognise same-sex marriage yet though in a historic judgement that can be called a milestone in the movement for gay rights in India, the Supreme Court last year ruled that homosexuality is not a crime in the country anymore with the top court moving to scrap Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, a British era law that treated the practice as unnatural.  

In 2013, the top court had upheld gay-sex as an offence though this section was read down  by the Delhi High Court in July 2009 in response to a Naz Foundation petition in the Delhi high court against Section 377.

That judgement was overturned by the Supreme Court  on 11 December 2013  holding that amending or repealing section 377 should be a matter left to Parliament, not the judiciary.