Commonwealth Games 2022: Tom Daley slams Australia inclusion of nations with homophobic laws

Olympic diver Tom Daley has taken aim at Australia saying he had “no idea such homophobia still existed” amid the Manly Pride round jersey fiasco.

Tom Daley has slammed the Commonwealth Games

Olympic diver Tom Daley has taken aim at Australia saying he had “no idea such homophobia still existed” amid the Manly Pride round jersey fiasco.

The British diver - who won’t be competing at the Commonwealth Games after taking a break from competition - carried the Queen’s Baton into the Opening Ceremony on Thursday night (local time) surrounded by rainbow flag bearers as he made “a historic” stand against homophobia.

A long-standing advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, Daley was asked for his thoughts on the pride jersey saga which has divided Manly’s playing group after seven players boycotted the club’s do-or-die clash against the Roosters.

“I see Australia as this very liberal place, so to see homophobia like that still exists is concerning,” Daley told Fairfax.

“I had no idea that such homophobia still existed in Australia.

“Good on the players who wanted to play. I don’t think [the NRL] should stand for such strong views against a marginalised population. How would it be if you took a stance against any kind of minority? Why is it OK to do that against queer people?”

Earlier this week, Daley who married husband Dustin Lance Black in 2017, highlighted the number of Comm Games competing nations where same sex relationships remain illegal and in some cases carry a sentence of life imprisonment.

“Thirty-five out of the 56 Commonwealth member states criminalise same-sex relations,” Daly, who married husband Dustin Lance Black in 2017, told the Guardian. “That’s half the countries in the world that outlaw homosexuality.

“LGBT+ athletes must be safe and feel comfortable being their authentic selves without fear of persecution or death.”

England’s message of inclusion lights up Comm Games

In a week where displaying a rainbow on sporting kits has divided Australia, England and the Commonwealth Games set the perfect tone for inclusivity at the Opening Ceremony.

Not only did England’s athletes sport a rainbow flag on the shoulder of their kits, but Olympic diver and LGBTQ activist Tom Daley entered the stadium with the Queen’s baton surrounded by rainbow flag bearers in a “historic” statement against homophobia.

The display of support for the LGBTQ community was in stark contrast to events that unfolded in Australia this week with seven Manly players refusing to wear the club’s Pride round jersey citing religious reasons.

Their decision to boycott the club’s do-or-die clash against the Roosters on Thursday (AEST) sparked widespread debate in Australia and divided the playing group.

Daley has been very vocal in recent days calling out homophobia across Commonwealth nations.

The British athlete – who will not compete in Birmingham as he takes a break from competing – highlighted the number of competing nations where same sex relationships remain illegal and in some cases carry a sentence of life imprisonment.

“Thirty-five out of the 56 Commonwealth member states criminalise same-sex relations,” Daley, who married husband Dustin Lance Black in 2017, said. “That’s half the countries in the world that outlaw homosexuality.

“This Opening Ceremony for us is about showing LGBTQ+ visibility to the billion people watching.

“LGBT+ athletes must be safe and feel comfortable being their authentic selves without fear of persecution or death.

“Something that is happening at the opening ceremony is going to be quite the historic moment.

“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 that as a privileged man, I can’t imagine what day-to-day life is like for LGBT+ people around the Commonwealth.”

Tom Daley with pride flags at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony. Top right: The English team enters the stadium in Birmingham.

‘HOMOPHOBIC COMMONWEALTH’: GAMES NATIONS SLAMMED

Olympic diver Tom Daly has called out homophobia across Commonwealth nations ahead of the Games getting under way.

The British athlete – who will not compete in Birmingham as he takes a break from competing – highlighted the number of competing nations where same sex relationships remain illegal and in some cases carry a sentence of life imprisonment.

“Thirty-five out of the 56 Commonwealth member states criminalise same-sex relations,” Daly, who married husband Dustin Lance Black in 2017, told the Guardian. “That’s half the countries in the world that outlaw homosexuality.

“Every single person should be free to live their true authentic self, no matter where they are born or who they are. We must all keep working until everyone is free and equal.”

Daly’s comments come days after the Games federation said countries where it remains illegal to be gay will not be granted hosting rights.

Organisers for Birmingham have gone to significant efforts to ensure LGBT athletes feel comfortable to express themselves.

For the first time LGBT athletes will be able to wave the rainbow flag on the podium.

Katie Sadlier, of the Commonwealth Games Federation, said it “embraces inclusiveness in everything we do”.

“I think one of the things that is really important about the Commonwealth Games is its values – humanity, destiny and equity are embedded in most of the things that we do,” Ms Sadlier said.

“Having a really strong Commonwealth Pride network is really important for us.”

“Human rights and inclusiveness is ingrained in our constitution. Our membership absolutely values the values that we have and they were central to our bidding process, so that would definitely be taken into consideration.”