Tom Daley: Illegal to Be Me
Tom Daley visits the most homophobic countries in the Commonwealth to explore how gay athletes are facing extreme persecution. What can the Commonwealth Games do to help?
As thousands of athletes prepare to compete on the global stage at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, Olympic gold medallist and double world champion diver Tom Daley wants to shine a light on an issue that he cares passionately about. Some competitors live in fear of horrific brutality inside the countries they represent. With punishments including whipping, life imprisonment and even death, it is illegal to be gay in over half of the 56 member states of the Commonwealth.
His journey takes him to some of the Commonwealth’s most homophobic countries to ask what the sporting world can do to help. The film culminates with Tom taking a very public stand at this year’s opening ceremony, in a powerful statement against homophobia.
Travelling from Pakistan, where homosexuality carries a maximum penalty of death by stoning, to Jamaica, where the punishment is ten years’ imprisonment with hard labour, Tom talks to top male and female sportspeople facing persecution. He also discovers the colonial legacy that first criminalised homosexuality and the toxic influence of slavery on attitudes towards LGBT+ people.
Last on
Clips
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Tom's Campaign
Duration: 01:03
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Michael Gunning
Duration: 02:25
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Pakistani athlete letter
Duration: 01:51
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The Colonial Legacy of Homophobia
Duration: 03:28
Music Played
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Bob Dylan
A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall
Credits
Role | Contributor |
---|---|
Presenter | Tom Daley |
Director | Luke Korzun Martin |
Producer | Fozia Nasir |
Executive Producer | Emma Hindley |
Production Company | Brook Lapping Productions |
Broadcasts
- Tue 9 Aug 2022 21:00
- Thu 11 Aug 2022 22:40´óÏó´«Ã½ One except Yorks & Lincs, Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland HD, North East & Cumbria, North West & 7 more
- Thu 11 Aug 2022 23:10´óÏó´«Ã½ One Northern Ireland & Northern Ireland HD only
- Thu 11 Aug 2022 23:30´óÏó´«Ã½ One Wales & Wales HD only
- Mon 15 Aug 2022 01:15
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