Tom Daley: A "Splash" for Gay Equality?

By Marika Jayne on December 10, 2013

This week, British Olympic medalist Tom Daley posted a YouTube video of himself “coming out.” In the video, he talks about his new relationship with a man, and states that he “couldn’t be happier.” Daley, a 19 year old Olympic diver from Great Britain, came out as bisexual to the public and to the media on his own accord, and there have been many waves of approval as well as some comments of disapproval. He stated in his video “Of course I still fancy girls but right now I’m dating a guy and I couldn’t be happier.” So he likes men – why is it such a big deal?

Besides the public now constantly swooning and drooling over his bod, more issues of gay rights and the legalization of gay marriage have arisen. If the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy with the military wasn’t wrong enough, will there be an act to limit sports players? With the constant issue of legalizing gay marriage throughout the world, each new event that emerges creates another debate, another controversy, and another breakthrough for the LGBTQ community. This past summer, on July 17th 2013, England legalized gay marriage, which was followed by California’s legalization shortly after. Each new event creates another affirmation, another reason to keep gay marriage legal and to target homophobia. In a world where a celebrity or an Olympic medalist or a politician has so much influence on the public, Daley’s announcement of being bisexual was another positive step for the eradication of homophobia and for equality. Even another celebrity showing their support for Tom Daley is a positive reinforcement of the equality of gay rights. As more and more people publicly support gay marriage, more and more people will support them, stand with them, and create a larger impact on its legalization. Similar to the abolition movements and the equality of African American rights, the seemingly small acts by people such as Rosa Parks will start a landslide of support in the direction of change. Now, Daley is no Rosa Parks of course, but even the smallest acts by noticeable people will influence the general public to move towards change.

Up until now, Daley was not on everyone’s radar. Before he publicly came out, he was praised for his diving talent and for winning a medal at a young age, but he is now a more prominent advocate for the legalization of gay marriage. When people of his stature use their fame to benefit others, people care. People will pay more attention to Tom Daley, 19 year old Olympic medalist, supporting gay rights than to people who aren’t as famous. The public notices people of talent, and they have more of an influence in changing the way the public thinks than a simple commercial or ad. Daley stated that his father, who passed away in 2011 from cancer, always told him, “As long as you’re happy, I’m happy.” Daley knew his father would have been supportive, and his mother is supportive as well. Had his father seen that Daley’s act of coming out would have such a big impact, would create such a large amount of news, he may have been more proud that his son was able to create a positive step towards change. When celebrities use their fame for the benefit of others, people notice. And when people notice, there are more steps taken towards change that needed that extra affirmation, that extra fuel to keep going.

What seems like such a small, insignificant YouTube video has created a surprisingly massive response in the world. Tom Daley, who many people have not heard of until now, has made an impact towards the equality of gay rights. His coming out may influence others, who were too scared to come out, to have the courage to come out, and it may trigger a chain reaction of more celebrities, sports players, and famous figures to support the cause and use their fame to influence others to fight for change. Seeing what a successful young man can do to influence equality so easily, gives hope for gay rights and hope for change.

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