The LGBTQ community made a huge leap in their journey towards social recognition and equality in India and got an influential mascot in sprinter and Olympian, Dutee Chand, when she decided to come out and disclose being in a same-*** relationship with a girl from her hometown of Chaka Gopalpur in Odisha. 

In an interview with The Indian Express, the national record holder in 100-m sprint said, "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-*** relationship. It is an individual person's choice.”

This made Chand the first and only Indian athlete to reveal her homosexuality and gathered attention from all over the world including the famous American talk show host, Ellen DeGeneres: 

She's the 100m record holder and the first openly gay sportsperson in India. I guess she knows a thing or two about being first. I'm so proud of her. https://t.co/auoyWY8yvk

We caught up with the fearless athlete and spoke about her decision to come out and become a beacon of hope for the rest of the members, especially of the sports fraternity, who are also involved in same-*** relationships but have not mustered enough courage to speak openly about it. 

'Initially I was terrified of how people would react to my sexuality but now that it is out in the open, I find myself to be in a really happy place. The fact that big celebrities like Ellen DeGeneres have showed her support for my cause means a lot to me."

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"Ever since I shared my struggle, all my friends and relatives, other than my eldest sister and parents, have been good to me. They said: “Dutee, this is your personal life and you have every right to live it however you want to. We will not interfere with it.”

"Ours is a democratic State and people have the authority to live their life however they want to and with whoever they want to."

"Times are also changing. Back in the day, rituals suggested that women were not allowed to marry a second time. They were supposed to spend the rest of their lives all alone, as widows had their husbands expired. Now, not only can women marry multiple times but they can do so without being judged, not by the people who matter, at least."

"Whenever something new happens, it is always criticised at first."

"As far as my career is concerned, I have shown my worth as an athlete time and again. I have passed all their tests and excelled in doing so. I have full faith in the Sports Authority of India and the Athletics Federation of India and know that my sexual preference will have no impact on my relationship with them."

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"I liked her for a really long time and even she liked me but we did nothing about it until the Supreme Court passed Article 377. As soon as the judgement was passed, I went to the girl's parents and asked them if they were open to such a relationship. They said that she was their only daughter and they are willing to do whatever it is that keeps her happy."

"It was only after her parents' blessings that I told the world about our relationship."

"Just like the Supreme Court decrimilarised same-*** relationships last year, I urge the judicial system to allow same-*** marriage, it would be great for people like us."

"I believe in the ritual of marriage and ever since I was a little girl, I have always dreamt of getting married to someone that I love dearly and spend the rest of my life with them. If in the future, the Supreme Court does make same-*** marriage legal, I would forever be thankful to them."