Captain Tom Moore, the 100-year-old hero who raised millions for the NHS, comes out as an LGBT+ ally
Captain Tom Moore came out as an LGBT+ ally, to the delight of his fans. (Twitter/ captaintommoore)
Captain Tom Moore, the 100-year-old veteran who raised more that £30 million for the NHS, has come out as a proud LGBT+ ally.
The war veteran began fundraising on 8 April, 2020, hoping to raise £1,000 for NHS Charities Together by his 100th birthday later that month by walking 100 lengths of his garden.
However, as news of his efforts spread, Moore raised £70,000 in the first 24 hours, a figure which has now grown to more than £32 million.
On Tuesday (8 December), Twitter users announced that they had “no choice but to stan” the “UK’s adopted grandad” after he threw his support behind Rainbow Laces Campaign 2020, supported by Stonewall and Barclays, which champions LGBT+ inclusion in sport.
Okay maybe we’re stanning Captain Tom? https://t.co/7j3gPkSgY4
— Tom (@VH_YesTTV) December 8, 2020
Earlier this year, the 100-year-old became the first member and captain of England football team’s Lionhearts squad, which pays “homage to inspirational individuals who have gone above and beyond during the nation’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic”.
Posing with a pair of rainbow laces, Captain Tom wrote on Twitter: “Tomorrow is Rainbow Laces Day and as captain of the Lionhearts I am proud to show off my rainbow laces to show that in sport, a fan is a fan no matter what.”
an LGBT ally 🥴😮 https://t.co/pQt3TJVDye— alex🏳️🌈 (@itsalexmark) December 9, 2020
Captain Tom’s supporters were delighted about his show of solidarity with the LGBT+ community, with one writing: “Just when you thought he couldn’t be any more of a champion.”
“This proves age is not an excuse to be homophobic,” said another.
Stonewall trustee Simon Blake shared the photo, and wrote: “I often hear racism, homophobia, sexism is a generational thing. About the times they/we grew up. Here is my response.
“Thank you Captain Tom Moore for poking a finger through that paper thin argument and supporting Rainbow Laces.”
I often hear racism, homophobia, sexism is a generational thing. About the times they/we grew up. Here is my response 👇🏼. Thank you @captaintommoore for poking a finger through that paper thin argument & supporting #RainbowLaces https://t.co/pI0p8TUgQF— Simon Blake (@Simonablake) December 9, 2020
Great to see @captaintommoore supporting #RainbowLaces; #aFanIsAFan. Sport is at the heart of Army life, so we’re keen to make sport a game for everyone, fans and players alike. https://t.co/BodMgnFBOc— Army LGBT+ Network (@ArmyLGBT) December 8, 2020
The Army LGBT+ Forum also shared the most, writing: “Great to see Captain Tom Moore supporting Rainbow Laces... Sport is at the heart of army life, so we’re keen to make sport a game for everyone, fans and players alike.”
Luckily, one Twitter user checked an important point: “Just quickly scrolled the comments to see if anyone was calling them NHS Laces and thankfully, they weren’t.”
