It was surely just a coincidence that British Olympic diver Tom Daley came out as bisexual on Jason Collins' birthday.
Separated by just 15 years, it's interesting to look at how each of the two men chose to come out in different ways. Collins did it with a tidal wave on the cover of Sports Illustrated, stating very clearly that he's gay. Daley recorded a little video for his fans, eschewing "gay" and "bisexual" labels and saying very simply that he's dating a man and it feels really good (well duh!!).
The outpouring of reaction has been nearly identical to that Collins — and every other high-profile athlete who has come out — received: 99% support and 1% idiots and assholes.
Here's a round-up of some of what we saw today…
That being said, congrats to @TomDaley1994 for sharing his private life with the world. Brave decision. Much support and love from all of us
— Jason Collins (@jasoncollins34) December 2, 2013 Welcome to the club (officially) @TomDaley1994
— John Amaechi OBE (@JohnAmaechi) December 2, 2013 Well done Tom Daley:) http://t.co/mowbLllzJh
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) December 2, 2013 When the dust settles @TomDaley1994 wil realise today is the start of an amazing life.Congratulations.xx
— Gareth Thomas (@gareththomas14) December 2, 2013
@TomDaley1994 well done mr ! Proud over you!! People can learn from this !! so happy to see this:)
— anton hysen official (@antonhysenoffic) December 2, 2013
@TomDaley1994 If I had a person like you and @BlakeSkjellerup come out when I was young, I would have had courage and pride. Thank you.
— Luigi Battista (@Lil_Wiseman) December 2, 2013
Transcript and Video: Olympic Diver Tom Daley Comes Out | Advocate.com
British Olympic diver Tom Daley revealed in a YouTube video today that "I still fancy girls, but right now I'm dating a guy and I couldn't be happier."
Tom Daley reveals he is gay: Outpouring of love for Tom Daley from celebs and fans after he reveals he is happily dating a man | Metro News
Tom Daley has been embraced and congratulated by sporting fans around the world and fellow celebrities after he revealed he is now in a relationship with a guy.
Tom Daley Endures Homophobic Abuse on Twitter After Coming Out| Gay News | Towleroad
Some of the homophobic abuse Tom Daley has endured on Twitter since sharing the news that he's dating a guy earlier today, below. Of course he has received support too
BBC Sport – Tom Daley 'brave and courageous' to reveal relationship with man
Olympic bronze medal-winning diver Tom Daley was "brave and courageous" to reveal he is in a relationship with a man, says former mentor Leon Taylor. Daley, 19, made his announcement in a YouTube broadcast on Monday. "Tom is an inspiration to so many people and I think this is just going to add to the amazing influence he has," Taylor, 36, told BBC Sport. Tom Daley: "Of course I still fancy girls but right now I'm dating a guy and I couldn't be happier" Cyclist Graeme Obree, who came out in 2011, said it was a "positive day", but warned Daley may lose sponsorship.
Teenage British diving star Tom Daley comes out in YouTube video | For The Win
The 19-year-old revealed he's in a relationship with a man.
Olympic diving star Tom Daley reveals he's dating a man | 5 News | Channel 5
Olympic diving star Tom Daley has recorded a frank and heartfelt video revealing he's dating a man.
Tom Daley coming out as bisexual: We’re a great country and we’ll show Tom that someone's sexuality doesn’t make any difference – Matthew Todd – Mirror Online
"It's still hard to grow up lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender" says Matthew Todd, editor of the UK's best selling gay magazine Attitude
One day ‘coming out’ won't be a thing – and the reaction to Tom Daley's announcement shows we're getting there – Comment – Voices – The Independent
Four years before I was born, it was still illegal to be gay in Scotland. In 1983, half of Britons believed that same-sex relations were always wrong; another 20 per cent thought they were mostly or sometimes so. It is less than 25 years since the first gay smooch graced British TV screens, leading The Sun to slam the EastEnders romance between Guido Smith and Colin Russell as "a homosexual love scene between yuppie poofs… when millions of children were watching." But in modern Britain a 19-year-old British sports icon can publicly declare he is dating someone who happens to be of the same gender, and be bombarded with love and support. Britain, you have changed.
Cambridge LGBT campaigner Sarah Brown speaks out on reaction to Olympic medallist Tom Daley revealing he is dating a man | Cambridge City News, Cambridge Local News Stories & Latest Headlines
One of Cambridge's most ardent campaigners for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community says she "longs for the day" when a person's sexuality does not make headlines.
Boy George and Lucy Spraggan tweet support to Tom Daley after he comes out as bisexual in youtube video – 3am & Mirror Online
Since Tom decided to announce his sexuality via a YouTube video, celebrities have been Tweeting their support
Tom Daley: Something I want to say… (via Tom Daley)
