Homophobic attacks on Tom Daley

Homophobic attacks on Tom Daley

tomsplash

 

SOCIAL media went into melt down last night over the celebrity news that Tom Daley was dating a man.

There was no admission from the Olympic diver to whether he was gay or bisexual, but he considered it most serious relationship he had been in to date.

His very public “no big deal” coming out was applauded by most, including a positive congratulatory message from fellow gay diver and Australian Olympic gold medalist Matthew Mitcham: “Tom Daley is a champion in every sense of the word. And it’s super cute that he’s in love  his honesty should be rewarded with all of our support.”

But the anti-gay naysayers have also come out in droves against Daley’s announcement:

 

 

 

 

There were many more, but thankfully, the more positive comments and tweets on social media were focused on how this was not just about a celebrity coming out – it was also about a public role model being honest” with himself, with his fans, and setting a positive example for LGBTI youth who might be struggling with dealing with and talking about their own sexuality. It was also a public reminder to always be truthful about who we are as people.

On that note, the Star Observer would like to congratulate Tom on finding love, and with being honest with himself. Well done.

 

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7 responses to “Homophobic attacks on Tom Daley”

  1. I agree with Franc, ‘it is great to see more positive peer images for young gays to aspire to’. If more of our athletes and sports stars came out it would make being gay normal! instead of being shunned by the bigots and the religious zealots, so what ever happened to “… God created man in his own image?” It’s time this sort of ignorance is buried once and for all.
    Tom, enjoy your life, it’s too short for regrets.

  2. Why do we insist on giving these homophobic pricks more oxygen and republishing their vile abuse? For once please just say there were nasty things said (as if we didn’t guess there would be) and not give their abuse MORE coverage than they could even dream of and stop spreading the evil!

  3. Well done Tom. Congrats on smashing through the closet. Life is so much better when you are living your truth buddy.

  4. Why do we constantly focus on the negative. Sure a few nobodies threw some nasty words around, but thousands of people sent messages of support, acceptance, love and admiration. Of course that doesn’t really make news print I know, but would it not be more helpful to those still trying to come to terms with themselves to see headlines like “Unexpected Level of Support for Tom Daley as he Comes Out as Bisexual” as opposed to reinforcing the negative. And frankly, who cares what the Westboro Baptist Church has to say.

  5. News agencies need to stop putting so much emphasis on petty social media commentary. Reporting with headlines suggesting Daley was “attacked” (when in actual fact some pretty insignificant twitter users made some insignificant comments) only gives currency to the comments.

    People will always have bigoted and hurtful things to say, and now we have social media to give these people an unbalanced public platform to make their comments, we need to start educating people, especially young people, these comments are weak and flippant.

    News agencies like this would do everyone a favour by not giving further voice to these people in the pursuit of a new angle on a story.

  6. With youth suicide numbers as high as they are it is great to see more positive peer images for young gays to aspire to

  7. Congrats for standing up and revealing the REAL you. I salute you as it isn’t an easy thing to do.

    You truly are a role model to others.
    Good luck