LGBTQ+ Representation In Wrestling
Current wrestlers in the acronym who shine in their own light
In a time in our society where being labeled as “different” can cause harm, wrestling shows people that it's okay. If you identify with any of the letters in the LGBTQ+, there most certainly is a wrestler (or multiple wrestlers) who you can look to for a safe space- a break from the harsh reality if you will.
Then:
If you were to look back at the 90s or even the early to mid 2000s in wrestling, being a part of the queer community was sometimes mocked or very much over-sexualized. Example- WWE Monday Night Raw had a pair of ladies quite literally called “Hot Lesbian Action” or better known as “HLA” back in the 2002 range. And how could we forget when on WWE Smackdown, Billy Gunn and Chuck Palombo were “partners”. Yes, they were tag team partners but the storyline took an interesting turn when Rico gets involved, a wedding happens, kinda, to declare themselves as partners and then said it was all a stunt… Yeah that was something happening also in 2002.
Granted, Pat Patterson, the first Intercontinental champion, was an openly gay man in wrestling during a time where that was not wildly done. He was the first openly gay champion in WWE. It wasn’t publicly mentioned on tv or anything until 2014, besides a quick mention of him “being single fellas” by JR on commentary in 1999. Patterson being gay did not hurt or hinder him from being accepted into the WWE Hall Of Fame in 1996.
But if you were to look in the year 2025, well you would see a very different picture! The 3 biggest wrestling promotions in North America have wrestlers who wrestle [almost] consistently on tv or at least show up on tv frequently.
Now:
WWE- Piper Niven (Bisexual)
Piper Niven, or Viper or Doudrop, whichever name you know her as came out as Bisexual in 2019 on Celebrate Bisexuality Day. Niven is shown very frequently on tv as she is a part of the Chelsea Green (who is a HUGE ALLY by the way!) faction known as the Secret Hervice/Secret Hervice Slaygents. Niven is also a former Women’s Tag Team Champion & 24/7 Champion.
TNA- Indi Hartwell (Lesbian)
Hartwell, who is new to the TNA roster, has had a girlfriend for at least a year according to her social media. She was never really one to hide it or anything, but Hartwell is going to be pretty prominent it seems on the TNA roster. Hartwell is a former NXT Women’s Champion as well as a former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion (technically they were the NXT Women’s Tag Titles).
Steph De Lander (Bisexual)
De Lander, who used to be in NXT, was the TNA Digital Media Champion until she was stripped of the title in March. She came out as bisexual in 2019. I do know her and her fiancé are currently eyeing the International Championship in TNA. Maybe its time De Lander adds more gold to her history (herstory).
AEW- Toni Storm (Bisexual)
Storm might be the biggest star in all 3 companies- especially if you count her character work cause she can’t be matched. She currently is the AEW Women’s World Champion (for a 4th time) and has been on tv consistently for at least the last year and a half. During Pride Month in 2021, on NXT’s Instagram during a livestream, Storm came out as bisexual. She is also not shy about kissing fellow lady wrestlers in the ring- specifically Mariah May and Mina Shirakawa. Before gracing us with her presence in AEW, Storm was winning the Mae Young Classic in 2019 as well as being NXT:UK Women’s Champion.
Anthony Bowens (Gay)
Bowens was ½ of the tag team The Acclaimed and was a tag team champion. After the tag team split up, he was off tv for a little bit of time. He is back now as the Pride of Pro Wrestling. During a segment with Harley Cameron back in 2023, as Harley was flirting with Bowens, he said “Lady, I’m gay”. He got a “He’s gay” chant but it was in the most heartfelt way. Bowens has been in a relationship with his partner Michael for about 8/9 years.
“Speedball” Mike Bailey (Non-Binary)
Bailey, since signing with AEW has been on tv consistently, and even most recently had a title opportunity at Double or Nothing against Okada. Bailey being non-binary means that they use he/him pronouns as well as they/them pronouns. He has never let that stop him in his wrestling or his personal life. Although they haven’t won gold yet, Bailey is a former 3-time TNA X-Division Champion.
Honorable Mention as they are NOT currently or have NOT recently been on tv even though they should be:
NYLA ROSE (Transgender)
Rose is a wrestler who was the 2nd ever AEW Women’s World Champion. She is one of the first transgender wrestlers who was consistently on national tv in 2019-2021. Rose does not make many appearances now in AEW, at least one match a year on tv or so. It's truly a shame that she is not properly used on tv like she was just a few years ago. Her character and her presence in AEW made her stand out, in a good way, and truly what the division needs again. Imagine her vs Megan Bayne who is another imposing force. Possibilities are endless for her if she can get back on tv consistently.