It’s rare that I actually find a video on Youtube touching and inspiring, but Tom Daley’s message announcing his bisexuality achieved just that. There cannot be enough praise for what Daley’s done and his public announcement of it took a lot of guts. It might be 2013 but there is still a stigma about those in the public eye announcing their sexuality and Daley admitted himself in an ideal world he would not have divulged it.
There have been a lot of people on social media declaring they knew it already or had predicted long before that Daley would announce that he was gay. That misses two important points: firstly that he never said he was gay and secondly that he affirmed he still likes girls. It also trivialises the act in itself. It makes it seem like it did not really matter that Daley came out because everyone already knew whatever they presumed his sexuality to be. That ignores centuries of discrimination based on sexuality and the fact that only a few years ago Daley doing this would have been unthinkable, his career would have been over in one fell swoop. Coming out was clearly a difficult decision for him but if it acts as an inspiration for even a few young people then it has been more than worthwhile.
The public nature of Daley’s admission and the almost universal positive reaction to it also makes the fact of him coming out hugely important. Daley’s story is completely relatable for young LGBTQ people. He spoke about the fact not everyone was immediately supportive of his sexuality and how he was not entirely sure of the decision. On a smaller scale those are exactly the problems most LGBTQ people face in weighing up coming out or staying in the closet – what family, friends and society in general will think of them.
The example he has set is inspirational and demonstrates, we can hope the direction society is moving in. Reactions to people coming out have gradually changed from negative to positive and eventually you hope there won’t be any reaction at all. Considering the unique pressures Daley faces as a figure in the public eye, the fact he can come out may well offer some people that little bit more encouragement that they need to reveal who they are and feel comfortable within themselves. True he is a figure in the public eye, but he is also an athlete – he did not ask for media attention in the same way other celebrities do. He did not become a diver to become famous: he became a diver because he loved the sport. His move is about taking back ownership of his identity, ending speculation and enabling him to move on with his life.
Tom Daley’s sexuality should not have to be a news story. He should be able to live his personal life without intrusion like the rest of us. However the fact Daley is willing to offer up his sexuality in such a public way is truly remarkable and admirable. It’s clearly been a difficult decision, but the positive outcome will be immeasurable.
Lovely writing, lovely boy. Well done.
I agree with the sentiment but he did not ‘announce his bisexuality’. He didn’t label it all, so why do other people feel the need to? There are a variety of other, perfectly valid, sexualities he could identify himself as that the media are almost discrediting. Who cares who he has sex with.
Me makes a good point – Angus has decided for Mr Daley that he is bisexual, which seems a little hypocritical considering the argument that he tries so hard to make sound at all intelligent or interesting in this article.
I had thought this would be complete hyperbole given the title (read on before you downvote this comment) but yeah, actually, it was quite good.