BBC Orders Tom Daley-Led Doc on LGBT+ Athletes

Tom Daley: Illegal to Be Me, a documentary fronted by Olympic gold medalist and double world champion diver Tom Daley, has been commissioned for BBC One and iPlayer.

In the doc, Daley will shine a light on how some of those competing on the global stage at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham live in fear of brutality within the countries they represent, as it is illegal to be gay in over half of the 56 member states of the Commonwealth. Made by Brook Lapping, Tom Daley: Illegal to Be Me will launch on BBC One and iPlayer on August 9.

In Tom Daley: Illegal to Be Me, Daley will travel to some of the Commonwealth’s most homophobic countries—where punishments whipping, life imprisonment and even death—to ask what the sporting world can do to help. The film culminates with the athlete taking a public stand at this year’s Commonwealth Games opening ceremony with a powerful statement against homophobia.

Among the countries that Daley will travel to and speak to athletes from are Pakistan, Jamaica and India.

Global sales for Tom Daley: Illegal to Be Me will be handled by BBC Studios Distribution.

Daley said: “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. 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. So, along with some of these inspirational people, we’re working on a campaign that we wanted to be more than just something you see in a documentary that you watch for an hour and then move on. We wanted it to be something that actually makes a difference.

LGBT+ athletes must be safe and feel comfortable being their authentic selves without fear of persecution or death. The CGF has been willing to talk and willing to hear what we have to say, and it’s good to see they’ve started taking a stance toward more inclusion. Along with incredible LGBT+ people around the Commonwealth, we will make a difference. The Commonwealth Games Federation can be a shining example to other sporting organizations that sports really can be for everyone, and with the pull power sports has, we can hopefully influence change to horrendous human rights laws that exist in so many countries around the world.”

Michael Jochnowitz, commissioning editor at the BBC, said: “It’s horrifying that while athletes proudly represent their country on the global stage, they face persecution—or worse—back home, simply for being gay. Some of these fearless athletes tell us their stories thanks to Tom and his courageous efforts to tackle the issue head-on, and whose manifesto for change leads to an extraordinary and historic world first.”

Emma Hindley, executive producer at Brook Lapping, said: “The bravery of the athletes and advocates in Pakistan, Jamaica and Nigeria who took part in the film cannot be underestimated. I hope that Tom’s documentary, which was made by a predominantly gay team, will be a positive and active driver for change.”