Yesterday we learned that Tom Daley is apparently gay in a relationship with another man, and it’s none other than Academy Award-winning Milk screenwriter Dustin Lance Black.
Neither Daley or Black’s camps have officially confirmed (nor denied) the reports, although Black posted a cryptic note on his Facebook page upon his return from St. Petersburg, writing “Slept all day today after my trip to Russia. Did I miss anything?” (Oh, not much, DLB, just the sound of gossip blogs exploding and teenaged girl hearts breaking.)
Today a number of pubs, including Us Weekly, confirmed the two men are indeed happily dating and couldn’t care less what anyone says about the two-decade age difference.
That’s good to know. Still, prying minds do wander. With all due respect to DLB, we got to thinking about other potential suitors for the 19-year-old Olympic diver. So we compiled a list of openly-gay men who we think would make great boyfriends of our Tommy boy.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Scroll down to see seven suitors…
Chris Colfer
A lot of people have noted that there’s a 20-year age difference between Tom Daley and Dustin Lance Black. This doesn’t bother us one bit. After all, what better mentor/BF than a handsome, talented director/writer/activist? But for those wanting to see Tom in an old-fashioned “age appropriate” same-sex relationship composed of another twink, 23-year-old Glee star Chris Colfer would make an excellent candidate. He’s young. He’s talented. And he would look so darn cute next to Daley at red carpet events.
Matthew Mitchum
Perhaps Daley would like to be with another Olympic diver? After all, it might be comforting to be with someone who has been there before. If so, Matthew Mitchum would be a stellar choice. The 25-year-old Australian took home the gold medal in the 2008 Summer Olympics for the 10 meter platform. Daley took home the bronze in the same category during 2012 Summer Olympics. Clearly he could use a few pointers from Mitchum, who we’re sure would be happy to assist. Gold and Bronze would look very good together on the ol’ mantle over the fire on those gray London days.
Rep. Brian Sims
Former college football star turned Pennsylvania State Representative Brian Sims made national headlines earlier this year when he was silenced by Pennsylvania House Republicans for speaking out about DOMA. Shortly after the incident, we had an opportunity to interview the 32-year-old state legislator/LGBT activist and, in our hard-hitting journalistic manner, asked him if he might per chance be single. He confirmed that he was. In the unlikely event that the rising stud muffin is still on the market, he’d make an ideal match for us — er — Tom.
He’s older, he’s wiser, and he could help turn Daley’s 2.5 million Twitter followers into a political machine. What’s not to love?
Joe McElderry
If Daley is looking to date a fellow Brit, 22-year-old UK pop star Joe McElderry might be someone to consider. The up-and-coming chart topper won The X Factor back in 2009. Since then the cutie has released four albums and had a few #1 singles in the UK. Like Daley, he’s just starting his career, both in and out of bed. So the two could grow together.
Wouldn’t that be sweet?
While we’re on the topic of musical types, Frank Ocean would be an fine catch for Daley. The 26-year-old R&B singer became one of the first major African American musicians to announce that he had fallen in love with another man, back in 2012. His album Channel Orange is all about that unrequited love. We think he and Daley would make a totally cute couple, earning that gay badge of relationship honor “interracial love.”
Plus we’d love to hear Ocean croon about it on his next album.
Nate Berkus
If Daley is, indeed, into older men, then we think Nate Berkus would make a great potential suitor for the young Olympian… if only he weren’t already engaged. Sigh. 42-year-old Berkus is a successful interior designer and daytime television host, so he would make their love nest effortlessly stylish in that great gay way. His piercing blue eyes and square jaw make him quite a delicious piece of eye candy in any interior. Plus he’s friends with Oprah, which could be leveraged for even more of the press coverage Daley covets. Need we say more?
Tom Ford
Speaking of dashing older gentlemen, you simply can’t do better than 52-year-old fashion designer Tom Ford. We know that he’s been with his older partner Richard Buckley since 1986, but we love the idea that Daley and Ford could be Tom². There’s a lot to admire about Mr. Ford. In addition to his devilish good looks, he’s a self-starter, Academy Award-nominee, and an international fashion superstar. His enormous personal wealth puts him into the David Geffen category except with better suits. Perhaps after he retires from diving after the Rio Olympics, Daley could have a second career modeling for Ford’s menswear collection. Or in some skimpy underwear ads.
At least then he’d be getting paid for posing in speedo-like briefs.
yaoming
We may not know for sure if TD is dating DLB, but isn’t kind of tasteless to be suggesting other people he could be seeing when he’s just come out saying how happy he is?
Rockery
Matthew Mitchum is a natural choice they could practice diving etc but that is a conflict of interest and whether we want to admit it or not Tom likes the spotlight and this not high profile enough
I think Nate Burkus is a good choice he is old but is way better looking than anyone else on the list and (does he still have a show?) they could go on OWN network and have a show “Tom & Nate”
If he REALLY wants to make a splash, Frank Ocean or Tom Ford – Tom would get him on every blog and the fashion scene and Frank would get him on every urban blog
BrandoPolo
Um, Queerty — did you completely miss the part in the kid’s coming out video where he said he’s with someone who makes him happy. Apparently DLB makes his heart sing enough that Daley was comfortable with confirming the rumors about his sexuality. We all know what it feels like to love a guy so much that you don’t mind if everybody knows.
Is this what some gay guys do when a dude is happy in a relationship — suggest a list of better potentials? Good grief.
iMort
If I was him DLBlack would be fascinating, accomplished and hopefully lot’s of fun!
LadyL
You couldn’t find a better picture of Frank Ocean? He is incredibly good-looking, especially in glasses. This one looks like someone yanked him out of a sound sleep.
Dxley
Mitchell Mitchum, Tom Ford, Nate Berkus, Chris Colfer are already in serious relationships of their own, so leave them alone and Tom, too. He’s with Dustin Lance Black and stop trying to play matchmaker!
“Slept all day today after my
trip to Russia. Did I miss
anything?”
Doesn’t sound “cryptic” to me. It’s a simple question and I loved the way most of his followers responded! It was quite funny the way some of them responded and one even said “You caused quite a stir in my household. I live alone”. Another one said “Oh, you’re very good at this” and I thought it was funny how he toys around with their heads and even ‘likes’ some of the comments that don’t say anything about Tom Daley and ignores those that do, but I still wouldn’t describe the post as cryptic.
I don’t see anything wrong with these two together. Lance is successful, experienced, smart, talented and a very good choice. Yes, Lance has made some mistakes in his life but who hasn’t? Does that mean he doesn’t deserve to be happy? Come on, people. You’re just being unfair.
Tom is an adult and he can do whatever he wants as long it’s legal. I honestly love this pair, I mean Dustin is in good shape, defies age and oh, he has an Oscar. What an achievement! I wish all the best and hope this really lasts. It wouldn’t hurt you to do the same. After all, it doesn’t change your world, does it?
Elloreigh
@yaoming: Took the words right out of my mouth. Tasteless describes it perfectly.
viveutvivas
Yes, what a tasteless article.
Dxley
Matthew* Mitchum
ShowMeGuy
Word on the street is that DLB is a dog, a dirty dog who likes to collect hot young men and then cheat on them.
Spike
@yaoming: Queerty = Tasteless
AuntieChrist
YES. BECAUSE ALL OF THIS IS REAL AND WHAT YOU THINK REALLY MATTERS.
Stenar
@yaoming: When have you ever noticed Queerty shy away from tastelessness?
QJ201
How about a list of age appropriate men for DLB? Though I hear winks are his thing. Creepy.
YesIDid
Yes, I can picture Tom Ford being with Tom Daley. Hell, I’d love to be with Tom Ford. IMO, he is one of the sexiest dudes on the planet. I wouldn’t mind Tom Ford teaching me the ropes of gay sex while I was a young man. I guess we can all take comfort in the fact that Tom Daley isn’t being pursued by those old, shriveled-up creeps like Calvin Klein, David Geffen, or Barry Diller.
DShucking
Yes, Queerty is tasteless but not one of you will stop checking it out as a result.
sprocket
And once again, Queerty pretends that bisexuals don’t exist.
Like it’s a choice or something.
Pembles
ARTICLE SPELLING MISTAKE: Matthew Mitcham, with an A.
Camsean01
Frank Ocean gets my vote. Or Zayn !Malick.
jwtraveler
OMG. What a bunch of yentas you all are! I don’t know Tom Daley personally, but he seems like a nice kid. If he has a boyfriend and they love each other, that’s great. It’s none of my business or yours or yours or yours or yours or…………….
Leave him alone and go get a life!
The7thDoctor
While we’re doing sleazy, fantasy pairings, might I suggest that Matt Bomer and Matt Dallas would be the most freakishly sexy/hot/cutest couple EVER?
And while I’m here I might as well say that Elijah Wood and Michael B. Jordan would make a HOT-AS-HECK interracial paring!!!! (That’s with JORDAN on TOP!)
icivii
wait, Brian Sims is single??? BRIAN SIMS, SINGLE?
Now I can give up and join convent.
Niall
You seriously suck at making lists Queerty, I think I’ve only see you make a single good one, and this one continues the trend of shittiness.