Tom Daley speaks about winning gold, being a dad, and LGBTQ rights
GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, has released a new interview with British Olympic diver Tom Daley.
In the interview with Anthony Allen Ramos, GLAAD’s Head of Talent, Daley talks openly about how winning at the Tokyo Olympics meant so much more now that he is a father. He also spoke about his much-talked about hobby of knitting, his road to coming out and self-acceptance, and if he plans to compete in the 2024 Olympic Games.
Here are some snippets:
Tom Daley on winning Gold in Tokyo and becoming Britain’s most accomplished Olympic diver: “It is so surreal. I have always dreamed of winning an Olympic gold medal and then for it to finally happen, I was just so excited, over the moon. At the same time, coming back home and being able to share that moment with my friends and family was so special, especially because they weren’t able to be there to watch me in the first place.”
Tom Daley on fatherhood: “It has been the best ever! Being a parent is one of the most difficult jobs on the planet but it is also one of the most rewarding.”
Tom Daley on how Olympics experience was different now that he is a father: “Back in 2016, when I thought it was going to be my chance to win an Olympic gold medal…after that competition, my husband [Dustin Lance Black] said to me, ‘Maybe it’s not meant to be, maybe it’s meant to be that your future child is meant to watch you win an Olympic gold medal,’ and 5 years later, Robbie, our son, was watching it on TV. He was there to watch me win an Olympic gold medal…”
Tom Daley on if he is ready for more children: “Yeah! We have always said that we would like to have a big family. As a gay couple, it’s not just as easy as a bottle of wine and a good time! There is a bit more thought and preparation that has to go into it, but it is something that we would definitely like to look into in the future for sure.”
Tom Daley on wanting to use his platform to talk about important LGBTQ issues: “At the end of the day, when I was younger, there wasn’t anyone that was out and performing at the highest level…I felt like it was my responsibility at that point to shine a light on it (at the Olympics). I am lucky that I come from Great Britain and there are no ramifications for me being who I am…married with a kid, as a gay man competing. There are still 10 countries [competing] at the Olympic Games where [being] an LGBTQ person…is punishable by death. So there are still massive inequalities throughout the world…”
Tom Daley on his advice on coming out and hopes for LGBTQ youth: “Just know that when you come out, there is a whole chosen family out there waiting for you to embrace you with open arms. It is something I would encourage people to do on their own terms…”
Tom Daley on his much talked about hobby of knitting: “My husband suggested ‘why don’t you try knitting like people on production sets…it passes the time, it’s something you can do just for ten minutes here or there.’ So I went on to YouTube and taught myself how to knit and then me being me…I don’t really half-ass anything…I want to be the best at whatever I can do. I’m a bit of a perfectionist, so I threw myself into it.”
