Diving champion Tom Daley has expressed joy after Jake Daniels became the first professional footballer in 30 years to come out as gay publicly. Daley has played a huge part in Daniels' decision to come out and Daley believes his coming out will make the queer community believe that they have a place in the straight-dominated football community.
It's just incredible. I think about what it means for any queer young kids growing up thinking now, 'Maybe I do now have a space in football. Maybe I will get in. Maybe I will be welcomed. It's not just that the queer community has been so celebratory of it, but the fact of seeing people like [Harry Kane speaking out about how amazing it is. Straight footballers at the top of the game are commending him, and I think for visibility in the sport it's just incredible. Jake and Josh Cavallo are paving the way. The fact that Jake came out is a really powerful message to send. It's so incredibly brave it might encourage people to be brave and more people to come out, able to be themselves.
Tom Daley