September 5, 2017
Listen: After Coming Out as Bisexual, Pro Wrestler Anthony Bowens Opens Up
READ TIME: 2 MIN.
After coming out as bisexual earlier this year, professional wrestler Anthony Bowens is opening up about his announcement.
The 27-year-old athlete came out after appearing with his boyfriend, YouTuber Michael Pavano, in a video. After sharing the news on Facebook, he wrote a piece for OutSports in March.
Bowens was a recent guest on Party Foul Radio with Pollo & Pearl where he discusses how people reacted to his coming out as bi and the negativity he faced.
"I woke up the next day, and my phone was just melting because of the notifications and how many people were sharing it, news outlets online that were picking it up," Bowens said. "I was getting messages from literally around the world thanking me. Saying I was an inspiration."
He explained he'd have come out sooner but thought being open would put his career at risk. But the responses from his OutSports story quelled his fears. Still, he then faced an unexpected debate.
"I thought there would be more negativity around the stigma of [a pro wrestler] being part of the LGBT community, but the negativity came more from people getting in arguments over bisexuality," Bowens said on the radio program.
He added most comments came from people suggesting that Bowens was gay and didn't want to admit it. The wrestler said he wasn't aware that bi people faced a stigma.
"You can date a dude or marry a dude and be with him the rest of your life, and that doesn't change the attraction. The stimulation doesn't change," he said. "That's the reason why it's LGBTQ-lesbian, bisexual. The LGBTQ community comes in all shapes and sizes."
Listen to Bowens' interview on Party Foul Radio with Pollo & Pearl
below.
