Tom Daley

[Paul22118]

How nice to see young Tom Daley (finally) coming out of the closet today. Well done and I hope it inspires many young lads to do the same and live 'your' life not in he shadows of society.

[Zacs-Master]

If your in the public eye, there must come a point when not 'coming out' does your credibility damage when it's so obvious.

[andy-hughes]

jomifl - "Why would the incidence of homosexuality (lesbians included) be any different in the sporting population than anywhere else in society? do you have facts to back up your suggestion that it is different. Is it higher or lower in the arts, sciences, professsions?. Why would anybody think that it's distribution is anything other than uniform. Does anybody care?"

It is different for sports men and women because they are seen (rightly or wrongly) as role models for children and young people.

The incidence is not likely to be anything other than uniform, but the acknowledgement and acceptance of homosexuality are far from uniform - witness the fact that there are no 'out' footballers in the Premier League.

That is why every sportsman or woman who is willing to cease to hide their orientation is a step towards eradicating the predjudice that still pervades modern society, even though huge steps forward in acknowledgement and tolerence have been, and contine to bene made.

[andy-hughes]

Zacs-Master " ... when it's so obvious ... " - can you explain please?

[sp1814]

^^^^^

What andy_hughes said.

[sp1814]

Frankly - to those who say that someone's sexuality is unimportant - if you got home to find your wife of husband had suddenly switched orientation, I think you'd find it pretty important pretty quickly.

Also - please note. Tom Daley has not say he's gay or bisexual. He's simply said that he is in a relationship with a man, but he still fancies girls.

I think it's a very clever move on his part. Rather than 'doing a Ricky' and have speculation dog him for years, he's taken the initiative.

[sp1814]

Zeuhl

No...my partner works in television, and I've met Tom through his involvement in Splash.

Not cruising on Hampstead, nor any other heath (something I've never done).

[andy-hughes]

triggerhippy - "Proper pin up role model boy, better than Barrymore anyway."

Leaving aside the fact that I don't think the notion of pin up and role model actually go together, where - apart apparently from in your mind - was Michael Barrymore a pin-up for anyone, anywhere, ever????

[andy-hughes]

No, we don;t have to leave it aside permanently - I was just leaving it aside for the moment, to address your point about 'pin up' Michael Barrymore - !

[Ellipsis]

> Frankly - to those who say that someone's sexuality is unimportant - if you got home to find your wife of husband had suddenly switched orientation, I think you'd find it pretty important pretty quickly.

What a bizarre argument!

Is someone's sexuality important then? Should we all be taking note of each other's individual sexualities - not simply prospective or actual sexual partners, but also friends, enemies, relations, colleagues, acquaintances and people we don't even know, e.g. celebs? If so then for what purpose, please?

[andy-hughes]

Ellipsis - "Is someone's sexuality important then? Should we all be taking note of each other's individual sexualities - not simply prospective or actual sexual partners, but also friends, enemies, relations, colleagues, acquaintances and people we don't even know, e.g. celebs? If so then for what purpose, please?"

As far as people in the public eye - and this obviously includes Tom Daley - there is a multi-million pound industry devoted to examining every minute detail about the lives of the rich and famous, because that is the culture in which we live.

Is sexuality important? Not in the true sense of the word, no, but in the wider picture, which includes the celebrity culture, such matters are seen as deeply important.

So in the real world, sexuality is not, and should not be important, but in la-la land where 'celebrities' live, it is of keen interest and a topic for discussion.

The purpose? Gossip. It is the more sophisticated version of tribal linkage - in ape tribes, they do it be grooming each other, in human society, we do it by gossiping, and a lot of people do it by gossiping about celebrities.

I am not someone who does it - may you are not either, but millions are, and do, and for that reason, Mr Daley will be tabloid and magazine fodder for a few weeks until the novetly wears off.

[Zeuhl]

/Not cruising on Hampstead, nor any other heath (something I've never done). /

LOL sp

I wasn't suggesting heath cruising... I wouldn't presume

But when I lived in Hampstead I enjoyed many summer days at the Swimming Ponds

I can't help but remember my one, very brief, visit to the men's changing rooms and its rather languid, boudoir-esque and exotic ambience.

It was clearly a good place to meet fellow bathers and motorcycle gear enthusiasts

[andy-hughes]

EUHL - "It was clearly a good place to meet fellow bathers and motorcycle gear enthusiasts ..."

and if you found someone who was both, that was a bonus!!!

[andy-hughes]

Zeuhl even ... it's been a long day!!!

[Peter Pedant]

erm isnt this thread about Tom Daley ?

and not about cruising on Hampstead or WImbledon or wherever ?

[Peter Pedant]

ugh Triggerhippy I wish you cadnt done that....

[Zacs-Master]

Andy, was (is?) your job not interviewing 'celebrities' and have you therefore not made a living out of the la-la land which you seem to loath?

[Peter Pedant]

Andy's job may well be that - what does he look like in speedo's ?

Can we get back to sensitive and artistic Tom Daley please ?