Hunky Gay Diver Says Footballers Should Come Out

Tom Daley, the hunky gay Olympic diver who is hugged up with Dustin Lance Black, encouraged gay footballers (or is that soccer players?) to come out, saying they would be surprised by the support they would receive.

The Daily Mail reported Thursday that although Daley doesn't believe any public figure is beholden to discuss their sexual orientation, if they did come out as gay, football would be accepting.

"I think people would be surprised how supported they'd be if they were to come out in a football environment," said Daley at a Leaders in Sport conference in London. "But you don't have to do a YouTube video and announce that you're straight. It shouldn't be anyone's business."

Daley was referring to the YouTube video that he released last December announcing his in a relationship with another man, who turned out to be Hollywood screenwriter Black on last December.

"You should just be able to live your life the way you want to live it," he added. "It comes down to each individual person. At the time I individually felt ready, I did it. Everyone's been really supportive."

For his part, Daley discussed his intent to come out with his family and his sponsors before posting his drawn-out announcement on the Internet, saying, "YouTube just felt natural. I was able to say everything I wanted to say without being asked any extra questions."

Daley told the Guardian that he isn't worried about traveling to Kazan for next year's Aquatics World Championships, despite Russia's anti-gay legislation, adding that he won't make any political statements while there.

"I have not concerns whatsoever about going to Russia," he said. "I've been there five, six times before and never had any problems. You go there to dive, you don't go there thinking about doing anything other than that."

So let it be known, footballers or soccer ball kickers, what have you. Come out. Gay diver Tom Daley said he's got your back.