International Gay Games medallists from Karnataka urge the State to create inclusive sporting spaces
International Gay Games medallists from Karnataka are calling on the Indian state government to create more inclusive sporting spaces. The athletes advocate for the inclusion of a third gender category in domestic sports to better accommodate the LGBTQIA+ community.
Why it matters
The appeal underscores the growing demand for gender inclusivity in national sports infrastructure and the need for policy changes to support queer athletes.
Sumit Pawar won the Gold Medal in Javelin Throw. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Highlighting that there are no avenues in India for people from the queer community to compete in sports, Goaty and Sumit Pawar, winners at the International Gay Games 2026, which recently concluded in Valencia, Spain, appealed to the State government to take proactive steps to make provisions for queer participation in sports.
“As a country, we are recognising three genders. But most of the sports spaces recognise only two. Other progressive countries have started adding non-binary as a category. India might need more time to add non-binary as a category, but at least if we can add third gender as a category, that will bring more inclusivity and offer everyone a space to participate,” said the athletes, speaking at a felicitation event held by the LGBTQIA+ and sports domains of the All India Professionals’ Congress.
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