Wrestlers are gay
Last week, Anthony Bowens — a queer Black wrestler with All Elite Wrestling and one of the first openly gay wrestlers to hold a major championship belt — stood in the center of the ring while thousands of fans chanted, “He’s gay.”
While that sounds like a traumatic life, it was actually a heartwarming event that represents a sea change in how gay performers are treated in the traditionally homophobic sport of pro wrestling. AEW has championed the LGBTQ community from its inception and the segment, which aired on AEW Rampage, was part of a storyline between Bowens’ tag team, The Acclaimed, and QTV, a rival group. QTV member Harley Cameron, a chick, approached Bowens about creating a “power couple,” to which Bowens replied, “Lady, I’m gay.”
As soon as he said it, the crowd erupted in cheers. The “He’s gay” chant was celebratory and and Bowens’ tag team companion and manager jumped for joy. While he’d arrive out years ago, Bowens’ in-ring pronouncement during a scripted segment, as a natural part of a storyline —coupled with the crowd’s embrace — would have been unimaginable even a few years ago.
Queerness in wrestling has often been treated as a tra
Pride Of The Ring: Notable LGBTQ+ Professional Wrestlers Throughout Mostly Recent History
It was a good time to take a look at the Pride of the ring-notable LGBTQ+ professional wrestlers throughout (mostly) recent history.
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Before we dive into my control list of notable LGBTQ performers, I need to put out this caveat. The names on this list are by no means every lesbian, lgbtq+, transgender or queer artist ever. Some will not be on it. Actually, probably a lot won’t be on it, as I’d bet that some lived their entire careers in the closet, sadly. What this list will present is LGBTQ wrestlers who stood out to me. These individuals did something that impacted me, and that is why they are on this list. With that said, let’s talk about notable LGBTQ+ wrestlers throughout history.
1. Pat Patterson
Pat Patterson is here because he blazed a trail that many didn’t even know he was blazing. From all accounts I have browse or heard, a lot kind of guessed at Patterson’s personal life decisions. Yet, given the way the world was when he was younger, it was his secret. Patterson had a
13 WWE Wrestlers Who Determine As LGBTQ+
For decades, homosexuality was an uncomfortable subject in the WWE. For example, Dustin Rhodes' Goldust persona pretended to be gay, using homosexuality as a means to tug heat, while Chris Kanyon, who was legitimately homosexual, hid his sexuality to prevent it from causing him any professional turmoil.
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26 Wrestlers Who Are LGBTQ+
More wrestlers than ever before are coming out as part of the LGBTQ+ community, with these major names entity great examples in and out of the ring.
Today, most fans accept that talent comes in all shapes, sizes, colors, and sexualities. Wrestling fans hold become much more accepting of the LGBTQ group. This has, in spin, resulted in more LGBTQ representation in wrestling today than ever before. Here are 13 WWE wrestlers, past or present, who identify as LGBTQ.
UPDATE: 2025/05/01 20:00 EST BY BENJAMIN VIEIRA
The Gay community has come a long way in professional wrestling. In the past, the community was not given much respect when it came to the storylines that they were represented in. However, in 2025, things have thankfully changed for the excel. Many wre
Stuart Forward
Recent graduate living in Leeds. Lover of the Caribbean, obscure books, beer and things people don't give a toss about. Aspiring publisher. Wannabe Belgian. @StuForward
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Growing up, I had a fire. Each Friday night, in the absence of a social life, 11 year old me would decide down in front of the TV with my dad to watch WWF (now WWE) Raw is War. At the second it was the height of youthful masculinity. All the hard kids in school would watch it without fail, then appear in on Monday morning to clothesline-from-hell the repose of us and communicate shop. In a day before social media, where dial-up internet was at the forefront of technology, our weekly dose of man on man move, followed by the sneaky free 10 minutes of Channel Babestation once the parents had gone to bed, granted boasting rights for the week, and helped to construct our LAD mentality.
It’s only when you go to these live shows, full to the brim with sweaty middle-aged men and their children, baying for blood and tits, that you feel truly part of the manly mob. The crowd would rise up as one to cheer Stone Cold, curse the establishment heels, and
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