Tom Daley praised for confronting Commonwealth homophobia in ‘important’ documentary

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Tom Daley took him campaign against homophobia around the Commonwealth in an “important” BBC documentary.

The diving champion has been vocal about his dismay that 35 out of the 54 Commonwealth countries still have anti-LGBTQ+ legislation on the books – mostly hangovers from British colonial rule.

He tackled the subject in a BBC One documentary, Tom Daley: Illegal to Be Me, travelling to countries such as Pakistan and Jamaica to speak with LGBTQ+ athletes impacted by such laws.

For many the documentary was an eye-opener, filled with moving interviews, personal anecdotes and urgent calls to make a difference. 

“So much respect for Tom Daley (as always) for showing so explicitly the realities of queer people across the Commonwealth and not just accepting rainbow washing and box ticking as a so called solution,” one viewer tweeted. 

Another said: “Wow, that was a tough watch, but an incredibly brave, powerful and emotional documentary. So many stories that break my heart.”

#TomDaley is no longer just a sportsman, he’s an activist & a #LGBTQ community hero.

Using his diving platform to take a leap into uncomfortable truths about the commonwealth (a day after they ended! with other leading activists is a bold move. Incredible#IllegalToBeMe #B2022

— David Robson