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What was even rougher was that the release came right before my birthday on Nov. I didn't know why the release had happened. "When I was a guest at the Clipper game, and then getting released 24 hours later, it was a little rough for me. "I'd been doing so much PR work since I've been signed, I was one of WWE's main guys that always did PR work," Rosser said. The timing of it all made the release a complete shock to both Rosser and his peers. Less than 24 hours prior to the release, he had been representing the company at an LA Clippers game as an ambassador for WWE - something that had become commonplace when the WWE needed someone to attend events on its behalf. Courtesy of WWEįor all of the good and the outreach Rosser was able to accomplish during his eight-plus years with the WWE, that part of his story didn't have the kind of storybook ending he might have hoped for. Their rapport has continued in Rosser's post-WWE life. When you do come out, you'll feel so much better." In the latter stages of Fred Rosser's run in WWE, he formed an on-screen mentorship bond with Hall of Famer Bob Backlund. To these other athletes, Rosser has one piece of advice: "Come out when you feel comfortable, but at the end of the day, make sure you come out. Once Rosser came out to the world, he became more than just a WWE superstar - he became a role a model for other LGBTQ athletes, someone who paved a path for them to follow. I'll never forget how much love those guys showed for me, then and after." Just the love from those guys, and knowing that those particular guys have my back, means the world to me. Big Show was always complimenting me too. He's one guy who gave me a big hug and much love, still to this day. If anyone has a problem with it in the locker room, you let me know, and I'll take care of it.' He said, 'Hey, man, I heard your story and I'm very proud of you for being so courageous to make that move to come out. "He approached me and told me to stand up. "After Punk had his SummerSlam match with Brock Lesnar, he came up to me in catering in front of everyone while he was iced up from the match," Rosser said. One moment in particular, with CM Punk, stands out in Rosser's mind to this day. That's how the Block the Hate movement came along."īeing the first openly gay performer in the WWE could have been a treacherous road to navigate, but despite their wildly varying backgrounds, others in the WWE locker room went out of their way to make sure Rosser knew that nothing had really changed in their eyes. It became about fighting bigotry and hatred, and trying to be the voice of the voiceless. "That's when I knew that my calling became much bigger than wrestling in the ring. She was supportive and has always been there for me." Before I came out to TMZ, I came out to her and she was surprised because I hid it so well. When my mom told me she was gay I told her I didn't care what she was, and that I still loved her. I was so fearful of the unknown, and fearful of judgment from my family. My mom came out when I was 7 or 8 years old, but I didn't come out to her until I was 30. "Our relationship is special because my mom is also gay. "My mom and I have a really powerful relationship," Young said.
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It was made even more special by the fact that it was the mirror of a moment that had happened between them two decades earlier. Rosser and his motherįred Rosser's biggest inspiration in his life is his mother, and coming out to her was a big moment. She told me her friend was a big wrestling fan and that my story made him courageous enough to come out to his family.
![young gay men wrestling in a ring young gay men wrestling in a ring](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/b4/3e/aa/b43eaa7c4f1666761d57017fde6ba9fd.jpg)
"But when the news hit the world, Cher was actually the first person to contact me on social media. "When I came out publicly to TMZ, I didn't really think it was a big deal when I said it," Rosser said. The immediate reaction on social media and a variety of other platforms would ultimately go on to change the path of the rest of Rosser's WWE career - and everything afterward. At the time, he had very little idea of just how big a moment it was, how far it would reach or who Rosser would impact with his message. In August 2013, Rosser came out and became the first openly gay active wrestler in the company's history. It happened at Los Angeles International Airport, in front of TMZ cameras. But for Fred Rosser, who wrestled for the WWE under the moniker Darren Young, the biggest impact he ultimately made on the business during his tenure with WWE didn't happen inside the ring.
#Young gay men wrestling in a ring professional#
LOS ANGELES - The defining moment in the career of most professional wrestlers is typically a title win, a headline-worthy match against a legendary opponent or some other kind of memorable milestone.