Editor's Blog4 mins ago
Tom Daley
93 Answers
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.
Answers
Hope so too, Paul. I had an experience today which made me wonder exactly when we do really grow up. Seeing these two threads I guess it's when we can just be gay without having to announce it and be subjected to comment, publicity in this case, and smutty schoolchild "humour"......
19:23 Mon 02nd Dec 2013
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.
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.
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.
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.
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> 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?
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?
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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.
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.
/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
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