Tom Daley Condemns Anti-Gay Policies Across Commonwealth Nations
Britain's Olympic diving champion Tom Daley is continuing to do what he can to raise awareness and support for LGBTQ athletes.
As reported by ESPN, Daley traveled to some of the UK's Commonwealth countries with the strongest anti-LGBTQ policies as part of an upcoming BBC documentary highlighting discrimination.
Out of the 56 nations that make up the Commonwealth, 35 of them are still enforcing colonial-era laws from the British empire and criminalize homosexuality.
"Punishments include whipping, life imprisonment and the death penalty," ESPN reports.
Titled "Tom Daley: Illegal To Be Me," the documentary will culminate with Daley carrying the Queen's baton into Birmingham's Alexander Stadium for the opening ceremony, accompanied by a few athletes featured in the documentary.
"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," said Daley in a statement. "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."
Daley added, "LGBT+ athletes must be safe and feel comfortable being their authentic selves without fear of persecution or death."
Featured athletes include Michael Gunning, the only openly gay athlete on Jamaica's national team, and Dutee Chand, India's first openly gay athlete.
Daley is four-time Commonwealth champion, and he said he will not compete at this year's event.
"We can hopefully influence change to horrendous human rights laws that exist in so many countries around the world," said Daley.