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.

Once in four years

Goaty and Pawar were two of the three Indians to participate in the International Gay Games 2026. The Gay Games is the world’s largest international LGBTQIA+ sporting and cultural event, held once every four years.

Goaty won four gold medals (High Jump, 5K Run, 10,000m Indoor Run, and Marathon in the Women’s 25–29 category), two silver medals (10K Run in the women’s 25–29 category and the overall women’s marathon), and a silver medal as part of the Mixed 4×400m Relay team. Sumit Pawar won the gold medal in Javelin Throw.

Originally hailing from Coimbatore and Rajasthan, respectively, both now call Bengaluru home and are members of the Bengaluru Front Runners (BRF), a community for LGBTQIA+ runners & walkers in the city.

Finding the connect

“I’ve been an athlete since I was very young, not the one who wins a lot, but the one who always participates,” said Goaty, who is an IGCSE teacher. After moving to Bengaluru, she joined the BRF.

While she was keen to participate in the previous Gay Games held in Hong Kong and Mexico in 2022, finances were an issue. Participation in Valencia Gay Games was realised with help from International Front Runners and Gay Games Federation.

“For me, running changed how I feel inside my body. Many of us might be able to relate to how disconnected we feel from our body as queer people. For me, running helped achieve that connect. Plus, there is the discipline that any kind of sport brings to our life,” Goaty said.

Goaty who started with 5km run, is now doing ultra marathons.

Above all, an athlete

“One of the best moments of my life was when, during the opening ceremony, we unfolded the Indian flag and entered the stadium. For me, in that moment, I wasn’t just someone from the queer community, but an athlete who’s representing India at the global stadium,” Pawar, who currenly works at Museum of Arts and Photography (MAP), beams with pride as he speaks.

The victory, however, doesn’t stop him or Goaty from challenging the status quo in Indian sports, where many disciplines receive far less attention and support than they deserve.

Pawar also points to the case of Dutee Chan, the first Indian athlete to come out as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, who received backlash for the same.

“Why can’t an athlete be simply considered an athlete above anything else!” he wonders.

Pointing out that among the 10,000-odd participants at the Gay Games, only three were Indians. Goti and Pawar hope that their participation paves the way for greater institutional and societal support and encourages more athletes from the queer community in India to take part in future editions.

Published - August 06, 2026 11:02 pm IST