Indian sprinter Dutee Chand expressed her disappointment with the Supreme Court’s decision on Tuesday, which declined to legalize same-sex marriages in India. Dutee stated,
“I plan to marry my partner Monalisa. But the decision of the apex court has upset all plans. I have been living with Monalisa for five years. We are happy together and as adults, we have every right to make our own decisions. We hope Parliament passes a law allowing same-sex marriages.”
In May 2019, Dutee made history by becoming the first openly gay Indian athlete. Following her disclosure of being in a same-sex relationship, she encountered considerable disapproval from her family.
During the Queen’s Baton event in Birmingham in 2021, Dutee utilized the platform to raise awareness about homophobia prevalent in Commonwealth nations. Her strong stance against homophobia was symbolized when she proudly displayed an LGBTQIA+ flag at the commencement of the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Dutee achieved a significant legal victory in 2015 when she successfully appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sports, resulting in her being permitted to compete again after serving a one-year suspension. This marked a groundbreaking case that centered on the concept of ‘gender’ within the IAAF.
Dutee and Monalisa have shared a romantic relationship for several years, and they even graced the cover of the Odia magazine, Kadambini. Their initial encounter took place during a Khudurkuni puja in Monalisa’s village. It’s planned that they will start living together once Monalisa has obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree.
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