Gay wrestlers in aew

Queer people everywhere are experiencing heightened discrimination, but if there’s hope to be found, it might just be in, of all places, the wrestling call. That’s where Anthony Bowens recently experienced a tremendously heartening show of allyship during Pride Month, when the openly gay Dark pro wrestler was showered with support from thousands of wrestling fans. 

During an All Elite Wrestling (AEW) Rampage event in June, Bowens responded to QTV on-air personality Harley Cameron, who suggested that Bowens couldn’t resist her if he tried, by telling her she must hold been “kicked in the head too many times by a kangaroo” as a kid. It took her a minute to figure out what he was alluding to — that he’s gay, ladies, and coupled with his boyfriend of seven years, Michael Pavano. Then, a full crowd showed their solidarity with Bowens when they chanted “He’s gay!”  

Bowens, who came out as bisexual in January and then later as male lover, made history in when he and Max Caster, a tag team in AEW (a rival of WWE) know

Last week, Anthony Bowens — a lgbtq+ 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 appreciate a traumatic encounter, 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 woman, 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 partner and manager jumped for pleasure. 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 un

When All Elite Wrestling (AEW) was launched in , CEO and co-founder Tony Khan sought to sign the best talent he could find regardless of race, gender or sexuality. After coming across Nyla Rose, he knew he found someone who could be a cornerstone of the promotion’s women’s division.

“She’s a tremendous, powerful, monster heel wrestler who bullies people,” said Khan, the son of Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan. “And I mind she reminded me of a female version of some of the big, bruising, badass wrestlers of my childhood.”

But Khan was unaware of the history he made by adding Rose to his roster, as she became the first openly transgender wrestler to sign with a major American professional wrestling promotion.

“I had no idea Nyla was trans,” he said. “I thought Nyla was a great wrestler and when I found out, I thought, ‘Well that’s great, too.’ I didn’t expect that, but it’s awesome.”

Rose had built a name for herself by functional for independent promotions in America and Japan. She knew she’d be entering a whole novel spotlight by signing with AEW, the first wrestling compa

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