I doubt there are many people who have not heard the news that the hottest little diver in Britain made a big announcement Monday. British Olympic diver Tom Daley revealed he’s been in a relationship with another man in an emotional YouTube video. This video just warmed my heart. I’ve always had a special place in my heart for the incredibly cute and talented Tom Daley, this video just endeared me to him more.
Daley, 19, says in the video, “Come spring this year, my life changed massively when I met someone and it made me feel so happy, so safe and everything just feels great. And that someone is a guy.”
He then adds, “It was always in the back of my head that something like that could happen, but it wasn’t until spring this year that something just clicked … My whole world just changed, right there and then.”
Still, Daley stops short of using either the term “gay” or “bisexual.” “Of course I still fancy girls,” he says. “But I mean, right now I’m dating a guy and I couldn’t be happier. It makes me feel safe and just really does feel right.”
The diver, who tweeted the video to his more than 2.4 million Twitter followers, concludes, “I’m still Tom. I still want to win an Olympic gold medal at Rio 2016 for Great Britain. I’m still as motivated as ever to do that.”
Daley’s sexuality had been the subject of ample media speculation for some time. The diver, who won a bronze medal at the 2012 London Summer Olympics and was recently named the sexiest man in the world by Attitude magazine, laughed off the gay rumors in an interview with The Mirror earlier this year.
“I think it’s funny when people say I’m gay… I laugh it off… I’m not,” he was quoted as saying. “But even if I was, I wouldn’t be ashamed. It wouldn’t bother me in the slightest what people thought.” Still, Daley said he was “cool” with his sizable gay fanbase: “It’s great to have gay fans even though my friends gently take the mick.”
It appears that Tom is a new breed of man. He’s not one who seems to like to be labeled. Isn’t that something that would be wonderful if we didn’t have to announce our labels and that we could just be who we are. Alas, the world seems to need us to label ourselves so we do, but I congratulate Tom in not bowing to the pressure of a label.
When famed Olympic British diver Tom Daley revealed to the world Monday morning that he is in a relationship with a man, some of the responses from the Twitter universe were, unfortunately, less than positive. However, Daley also received an outpouring of support from the public — including a handful of celebrities who were quick to vocalize their pride regarding the athlete’s decision.
Now, it looks as if Daley can also expect his family to get behind his decision to publicly come out. Though the diver’s grandparents admitted they were a bit “confused” and surprised at first, the pair told the Daily Mail that they vowed to support their Olympic athlete grandson.
“We asked him if he was absolutely sure. He’s our first grandson from our son who died,” Daley’s grandparents told reporters. “We have always been supportive of him and we always will. We’re not old-fashioned, in fact we’re quite liberal. But I do think he’s too young to be making this sort of decision… But we hugged him, we thanked him for coming to see us, and we’ll be seeing him over Christmas. We’ll always be here for Tom.”
Sounds like Tom has quite a supportive family and I couldn’t be happier for him!
Related articles
- Tom Daley – Should his announcement matter ?? (tomatotomarto1314.wordpress.com)
- Tom Daley’s Grandparents “Confused” At His Coming Out, But Vow To Support Him (queerty.com)
- British Diver Tom Daley Speaks Out … (ohlalamag.com)
December 4th, 2013 at 11:53 am
Hmm. Is he truly ducking being labeled or just halfway stuck in the closet? I’ve seen this metrosexual ruse before. Didn’t Ricky Martin play the same sort of shuck and jive? Certain labels are important, inasmuch as they connote affinity groups and boost pride. I almost wish young Mr. Daley had not spoken out !
December 4th, 2013 at 1:19 pm
I think he is ducking the label and staying halfway in the closet. In a way, he’s sort of following Josh Hutcherson’s example of I won’t rule out dating a guy, I just haven’t found one yet. I think more people are getting more fluid with their sexuality, which I think is a result of the amount of acceptance that GLBT are now receiving. I agree though about Tom, I wish he would have been more definitive in his statement. I don’t really believe in halfway doing something. If he’s bisexual, as he implies, then just say so. Many bisexuals would love to have a role model.
December 4th, 2013 at 6:17 pm
That’s an excellent point … if he’s bi-sexual, then say so. Robbie Williams said so, though I believe he’s all gay (for what it’s worth). I suppose I always feel more comfortable with definition … it’s why I’m good at following rules, unless the rules are wishy-washy or unevenly applied, in which case I go bonkers ! 😉
December 4th, 2013 at 6:22 pm
I’m in complete agreement about rules and definition. I hate when rules are wishy-washy or unevenly applied. Just say it how you want it.
December 4th, 2013 at 6:23 pm
Exactly! I’m off to be now, so a demain … sleep tight and don’t let the bedbugs bite !
December 4th, 2013 at 6:25 pm
Sleep well, my friend.