India’s newest champion for love

located:	India
editor:	Tish Sanghera

Dutee Chand, a 23-year old from a remote village in central India, is a remarkable woman in many ways.

Her journey from the impoverished streets of Odisha to being a world-class sprinter and national record holder could have already supplied plenty of material for Hollywood. Now the formidable athlete has taken on another, more difficult challenge of becoming India’s first openly gay sportsperson.

“I believe everyone should have the freedom to be with whoever they decide they want,” said Chand, adding that she had found her “soulmate” in a young woman from her village.

Though India decriminalised homosexuality in a landmark ruling in September 2018, social attitudes remain hardened to same-sex relationships in much of the country. In rural areas especially, the dissolution of Section 377 has had little impact. This could be due to the fact that the government has remained conspicuously distant from supporting or championing the issue, leaving social activists and NGOs to fill the gaps.

Members of the LGBTQ+ community in fact continue to face discrimination despite the legislation, even fearing for their lives. A 19-year-old from Chand’s home state was recently tied to a tree and beaten after she was discovered to be in a same-sex relationship.

There has therefore been much praise for Chand and her confident stance in front of a largely conservative society. Her reason for coming out in the first place highlights the prevailing barriers to openness that many LGBTQI people face within their own homes and despite new legal protection. The athlete has admitted that she decided to come out after repeated threats from her sister who said she would reveal all if the relationship did not end.

While it may take time for social norms to catch up with the Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex relationships, there are signs though that things are moving in the right direction. Multiple cities across India hold Annual ‘Pride’ events, Bollywood and Amazon Prime have produced big-budget films and TV shows with homosexual lead characters and national brands are more than happy to publicly support the community where perhaps politicians are not.

Chand then is a much-needed role model for many in the country, particularly women, who have few positive references to homosexuality in the public sphere. The decisive embrace of her sexuality and long-term relationship whilst being fully aware of the likely response also shows she has the mettle to be a champion both on and off the running track.

Photo: Twitter