Tom Daley to front documentary about LGBTQ+ rights in the Commonwealth: Illegal To Be Me

Virgin Radio

28 Jul 2022, 10:43

Olympic diver Tom Daley will be at the forefront of a new BBC documentary to shed light on homophobia within the Commonwealth. 

Tom will not be taking part in the 2022 Commonwealth Games when they kick off later today (Thursday 28th July) but instead will host a one-hour special, Illegal To Be Me, to shine a light on homophobia with the Commonwealth.

Currently, it is illegal to be gay in more than half of the 56 member states, and the documentary will see Tom travel to those countries where homosexuality is a crime. 

The decorated athlete will travel from Pakistan, where being gay has a maximum penalty of death by stoning, all the way to Jamaica, where the punishment is 10 years in prison with hard labour. 

Tom will speak to advocates fighting for change, including the only openly gay athlete on Jamaica’s national team, Michael Gunning, India’s first openly gay athlete, Dutee Chand, and swimmers Theresa Goh and Amini Fonua, both vocal supporters of LGBTQ+ rights in Singapore and Tonga.

In the special, Tom will explore what the Commonwealth Games Federation could do to make athletes feel safe to compete and help push for wider change. Back in the UK, he will submit a manifesto of action points to the Commonwealth Games Federation, written with contributions from LGBT+ people across the Commonwealth, in an effort to create meaningful, long-lasting change. 

In a statement announcing the news, Tom said: “I’ve experienced homophobia all my life, competing in countries where it’s illegal to be me and where I don’t feel safe to leave the venue I’m competing in. If I feel like that as a privileged man, I can’t imagine what day-to-day life is like for LGBT+ people around the Commonwealth. 

“So along with some of these inspirational people, we’re working on a campaign that we wanted to be more than just something you see in a documentary that you watch for an hour and then move on. We wanted it to be something that actually makes a difference.”

The sports star continued: “LGBT+ athletes must be safe and feel comfortable being their authentic selves without fear of persecution or death. The CGF has been willing to talk and willing to hear what we have to say, and it’s good to see they’ve started taking a stance towards more inclusion. Along with incredible LGBT+ people around the Commonwealth, we will make a difference. 

“The Commonwealth Games Federation can be a shining example to other sporting organisations that sports really can be for everyone and with the pull power sports has, we can hopefully influence change to horrendous human rights laws that exist in so many countries around the world.”

Tom Daley: Illegal To Be Me, will air on Tuesday 9th August at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.