2 December 2013
Olympic Diver Tom Daley Comes Out Via YouTube
Cultural UK People
19-year-old British Olympic diver Tom Daley published a YouTube video announcing he was in a relationship with a man, saying 'I've never been happier'. He chose YouTube so his words would not be 'twisted' by the media. The partner was later revealed as screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, whom Daley married in 2017. Daley went on to win Olympic gold at the Tokyo 2020 Games.
Impact & Significance
As one of Britain's most recognisable athletes, Daley's coming out provided powerful representation and inspired a generation of young LGBTQ+ sports fans.
Reference Record
- Date
- 2 December 2013
- Era
- 2010-2019
- Sources
- 1
This timeline entry is being migrated into the reference platform. Source metadata and editorial review status will be strengthened as each topic is upgraded.
Questions This Event Helps Answer
Q Which LGBTQ+ public figures changed visibility? They changed visibility in politics, science, activism and literature by showing that queer lives could be public, influential and historic. Q How did UK queer media and cultural spaces build visibility? They built visibility by giving LGBTQ+ people dedicated news, support lines, political journals, protected venues, museum space and mainstream screen representation. Q How did LGBTQ+ athletes change sport visibility? LGBTQ+ athletes changed sport visibility by coming out publicly, challenging homophobia in elite sport, supporting inclusion campaigns, and exposing discriminatory eligibility rules.
