British Diver Tom Daley comes out as bisexual on YouTube
British Olympic diver Tom Daley has revealed via a YouTube video that he is in a relationship with a man. The 19-year-old athlete earned a Bronze medal at the 2012 Olympics and was one of the youngest athletes ever to compete at the games when he debuted in 2008 — and has since garnered a large following of women and gay men across various social networks.
Daley has often kept quiet in interviews when it asked about relationships. He confronts this in the video, “I’ve been dating girls and never really had a serious relationship to talk about. Now I kind of feel ready to talk about my relationships.”
The reason? “This year, something just clicked. It felt right and I was like ‘Oh, okay.'” The relationship began this spring, with Daley stating “My life changed — massively — when I met someone and they made me feel so happy, so safe, Everything just feels great.”
“That someone is a guy.”
It wasn’t a total shock to the Olympian — or his myriad gay fans. “[It] did take me by surprise a little, but it was always in the back of my mind that something like that could happen. My whole world changed there and then.”
Daley declared his bisexuality by adding “Of course, I still fancy girls but right now I’m dating a guy and I couldn’t be happier.”
Stonewall, an LGBT charity in the UK, tweeted that it was a “Moving and inspiring video,” and that Daley was “a role model for thousands of other young people.”
Lord Browne, the former chief Executive of oil company BP who resigned after it was discovered that he was gay, said “It will have been very hard for him to make the video and a very brave thing for him to do. Sport is a very difficult area, very slowly moving in recognition of gay and lesbian sexuality. Coming out is not risk free but I hope that what Tom Daley has done will lead to a good outcome for him and say to people it is good to do this.”
Daley tweeted following the video’s publication, saying “Overwhelmed by all the support! Means the world! Thanks so much guys!”
Source: BBC
Support Metro Weekly’s Journalism
These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!
