Pro-Wrestler Anthony Bowens Comes Out (Again)

Pro wrestler Anthony Bowens comes out - again

Professional wrestler Anthony Bowens has come out - again.

After coming out in 2017 as bisexual, Bowens now says he’s come to the point where the term doesn’t really apply to him today.

“It’s on to a new year, a new journey and, apparently, a new label,” says the hunky 28-year-old in a YouTube video titled ‘COMING OUT…again.’

“The main purpose of this video is to tell everybody that I prefer to be labeled now as gay,” he begins.

In advance of the reactions he’s bracing for, Bowens admits, “There’s going to be ‘thank you, it’s great that you’re being open and honest and we love you,’ there’s going to be the ‘well, we knew that,’ and there’s going to be the ‘bi now gay later’ people.”

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A post shared by Anthony Bowens (@bowens_official) on Dec 2, 2018 at 7:51am PST

The hunky wrestler says he initially identified as bisexual as he “didn’t know much about the LGBTQ community” and he had been attracted to both genders.

While he still advocates for bisexuality (‘100 percent’), Bowens says, “As you get older, your viewpoints change; the way you look at the world changes; the way you look at yourself changes.”

He shares that recently, in looking back at some old articles featuring him, he realized the word ‘bisexual’ was used over and over to describe him.

“It was kind of annoying me that they had to continually put what I was,” he lamented. “I couldn’t just be a professional wrestler, I was the ‘bisexual pro wrestler,’ but I just wasn’t identifying with that term any more.”

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2 years ago, I took a chance and went to meet @michaelpavano not knowing that I’d be meeting the love of my life. It’s crazy how much we’ve accomplished together in these last 2 years and I can’t wait to see what the future holds. I love you.

A post shared by Anthony Bowens (@bowens_official) on May 27, 2018 at 3:21pm PDT

Bowens’ relationship with boyfriend Michael Pavano, who he met in 2016, also has impacted the way he views himself.

“I’m in love with Michael, I want to marry Michael, I’m picturing myself being with a man for the rest of my life, so the term ‘bisexual’ felt less and less me the more time went on,” he tells his YouTube audience. “And I now feel more comfortable labeling myself as ‘gay.’”

The athlete also stresses that he didn’t use the term ‘bisexual’ as a gateway to ‘gay.’ It’s just how life unfolded for him.

“There are some people out there who will use that just because they are afraid to say that they’re gay, but not everybody’s like that, and I don’t think they should be judged for it because everybody has their own way of figuring themselves out,” explains Bowen.

“Please don’t be a hypocrite,” implores Bowen. “I think it’s very hypocritical as people who identify as LGBT who get judged by a lot of people about our lifestyle, then turn around and judge others in the same community.”

Amen, Anthony.

You can watch ‘COMING OUT…again’ below.

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A post shared by Anthony Bowens (@bowens_official) on Nov 1, 2018 at 6:59pm PDT

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Monthly mirror pic and final one of the year. Can you believe how fast 2018 went?

A post shared by Anthony Bowens (@bowens_official) on Dec 2, 2018 at 7:51am PST

World OutGames Cancelled 24 Hours Before Opening Ceremony

Less than 24 hours before the opening ceremonies in Miami, the organizers of the 2017 OutGames cancelled most events including the opening and closing ceremonies.

From the Miami Herald:

The long-planned sporting and cultural event known as the World OutGames, a 10-day LGBT-themed event advertised as a spectacular gathering of athletes from around the world, unraveled Friday about 24 hours before the opening ceremonies.

Organizers announced that the opening and closing ceremonies, along with nearly all of its sports events, were canceled due to financial issues. The bombshell revelation came via a short Facebook post from the event’s board of directors Friday.

“It is with deep regret that due to financial burdens, World OutGames must cancel its sports programming and Opening and Closing Ceremony with the exception of soccer, aquatics and country western dance,” reads the text. “The Human Rights Conference and cultural programs will continue as planned. We thank everyone who has supported the effort and apologize to those who will be impacted by this difficult decision.”

And with that, the high hopes for the 10-day event were dashed as athletes from around the world streamed into Miami, ready to compete only to learn the games were canceled. Some arrived before the announcement, and others found out mid-air.

How very disappointing for the athletes. According to reports, many participants found out in mid-air on their way to Miami.

Adidas To Athletes: We Won't Fire You If You Come Out

Adidas, the world’s second-largest sportswear company, has added a clause into its contracts with the athletes it sponsors clearly stating that should they publicly come out, the contract can not be termed void or cancelled.

Robin Stalker, the chief financial officer of Adidas, announced the move on Thursday at the first British conference dedicated to improving the visibility of LGBT people in sport.

The new clause reads: “Adidas acknowledges and adheres to the principles of diversity, as this is a central part of the Adidas group philosophy. Therefore Adidas warrants that this agreement will neither be terminated nor modified in case the athlete comes out to the public as a member of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community.”

Loss of sponsorship deals has been a longtime fear of many closeted athletes when considering coming out.

The sportswear giant also tweeted out this image with the text, "The love you take is equal to the love you make."

The love you take is equal to the love you make. pic.twitter.com/VMBRJUhHOb

— adidas (@adidas) February 14, 2016

News Round-Up: September 19, 2015

Some news stories you may have missed:

• Princeton University's Mason Darrow becomes first openly gay Division 1 football player.

• File this under "Duh" - a recent study shows a strong correlation between homophobia and mental illness.

• Jeb Bush on Donald Trump's failure to correct recent anti-Muslim comments made by a Donald Trump supporter: Obama Is 'American' And 'A Christian.'

• Bag pipe player takes down hateful street preacher in "most Scottish way possible." Hilarious.

• "Hart To Hart" - 70s/80s TV detective series - is getting a gay couple reboot.

International Olympic Committee Adds Sexual Orientation To Principle 6

From Buzzfeed: On Monday, the International Olympic Committee voted unanimously to add sexual orientation to the list of traits for which an athlete can not be discriminated against.

Recommendation 14 was to add sexual orientation to the 6th Fundamental Principle of Olympism, which currently reads:

“Any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement.”

The issue of LGB discrimination in the Olympics has been a hotly debated subject since the 2014 Sochi Olympics due to Russia’s many discriminatory laws.

Former Dallas Cowboys' Greg Ellis worries about Michael Sam patting NFL players' butt

Former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Ellis (on top)

Former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Ellis spoke with ESPN radio on Tuesday and offered his opinions about recently out/SEC Defensive Player of the Year Michael Sam joining the NFL.

Transcript of Ellis:

On what his team’s reaction would be to Michael Sam when he was playing:

“I think it would be totally different than what it is right now. I think those years made a lot of difference in the current day NFL. But still, a universal rule in my opinion is that it’s going to affect the football team. I don’t care how we look at this, it’s going to affect the football team. And one of the biggest reasons why it’s going to affect the football team, he’s not a proven player.

"Teams and guys have a lot of tendency to accept a lot of things if they feel like, ‘Nobody done like him, but nobody can do what he can do.’ If it’s your quarterback and he’s playing like Peyton Manning you’re going to have find a way to say, ‘We’re going to overlook that because we’re trying to win football games.’ But when you’re coming in as an unproven rookie, you won’t have that card to pull because you’re unproven. He has to be careful. He has to come in, close his mouth. It should’ve never came out. I know half the people will say, ‘Why not?’ Because it hurts his opportunity to be welcome into a football club.”

On what Sam first needs to do when he goes to a team:

“If he can make it through that first initial wave. If he can get out there — he doesn’t need to say anything. He needs go in there, close his mouth and play football to let the guys know that, ‘Hey if you guys give me a chance to welcome me into this fraternity of this football team, I can contribute and help us win football games.’ That’s going to be his best approach in my opinion.

"Because the little things you have to look at. If he pats somebody on the butt — I hope ESPN don’t get mad and never have me back — but if he pats somebody on the butt, how is that to be received? If he does that how is that to be received? If he said, ‘Come on baby’? I called guys baby all the time on the football field, but when you have taken a stand and went and go public and say that, ‘I am gay,’ how is that going to be received? I’ve seen guys, I had guys on the Dallas Cowboys football team — I won’t mention names — who did not want you to pat them on their butt. So God forbid if you pat one of those guys on the butt it’s going to be a major problem.”

On if he would’ve been uncomfortable with playing with a gay player:

“I would. I would. People who’ve never been in an NFL shower room, not just locker room, it’s a open room. We don’t have private curtains. It’s just an open-form shower, so everybody sees each in the nude.

"Well if you’re looking at men as if you’re looking at women or vice versa, how are those guys to receive that? I don’t know. I don’t know how they will receive that. But I do know it would be a situation where I would go to the coach and try to work something out to say, ‘Obviously this is going to be a problem. What can we do? The kid can help us play, can help us win football games. We need him on the team. But this situation right here, we need to do something.’ ”

Texas sports anchor Dale Hansen on ELLEN

Ellen today sat down with Texas sports anchor Dale Hansen, whose on-air opinion piece regarding newly out college football player Michael Sam and the NFL went viral this week.

You can see his BRILLIANT "Unplugged" op-ed here.

Says Hansen to Ellen: "I just wanted to slam the hypocrisy of the NFL!"

Netherlands LGBT speed skater Ireen Wüst wins gold in 3,000-meter

Ireen Wüst, a speedskater from the Netherlands, won gold in the 3,000-meter competition in Sochi, defeating the defending champion from Czech Republic.

Wüst is one of six out LGBT olympians competing in the SochiOlympics.

She completed the event in just 4 minutes and .34 seconds.

Brazilian champion diver Ian Matos comes out

Brazilian Diver Ian Matos came out of the closet as a gay man in a recent interview with the Portuguese-language newspaper Correio.

"From a young age, I knew I was gay, but it was here that I got to live my sexuality," said Matos, who is now living in Rio de Janiero, Brazil, according to a translation of his interview on OutSports.

The 24-year-old athlete said friends advised him to remain in the closet until after the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero.

But Matos said he felt the increasing pressure of having to keep his sexuality a secret — hiding boyfriends and avoiding gay parties. He also acknowledged that he was inspired to be open about his identity after British Olympic diver Tom Daley announced in December he was dating a man, who was later revealed to be Oscar-winning Milk screenwriter Dustin Lance Black.

Born in Bethlehem, Pa., Matos moved to Rio de Janiero to pursue his diving career and became the Brazilian 3-meter champion in 2013.  He also won a bronze medal in the event in 2012 in the US.

(from the Advocate)

German Pro Footballer Thomas Hitzlsperger comes out

From BBC Sports:

Former Aston Villa midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger has revealed he is gay.

The 31-year-old, who won 52 caps for Germany and also played for West Ham and Everton, made the announcement in newspaper Die Zeit.

He is the most prominent footballer to publicly reveal his homosexuality and said it was "a good time" to do so. "I'm coming out about my homosexuality because I want to move the discussion about homosexuality among professional sportspeople forwards," he added.

The midfielder said he has only realised "in the past few years" that he would "prefer to live together with another man", adding: "I've never been ashamed of the way I am."

Hitzlsperger had this to say to the Guardian:

"In England, Italy and Germany being a homosexual is no big thing, at least not in the dressing room... I was never ashamed of being who I am but it was not always easy to sit on a table with 20 young men and listen to jokes about gays. You let them get on with it as long as the jokes are somewhat funny and not too insulting.

"Being gay is topic that is 'ignored' in football and not 'a serious topic in the changing room'. Fighting spirit, passion and winning mentality are intrinsically linked, that doesn't fit the cliché: 'Gays are soft'."

Support throughout the sports world has been strong:

Congratulations to Thomas Hitzlsperger on bravely being the first player to have played in the PL to 'come out' http://t.co/9boXWNpnFZ
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) January 8, 2014

Brave and right decision. Respect, Thomas Hitzlsperger. His outing is a important sign in our time. pic.twitter.com/c69Oml2Ocp
— Lukas-Podolski.com (@Podolski10) January 8, 2014

Thomas Hitzlsperger has shown a lot of courage today. Sad times when people have to wait till they retire from their chosen profession...
— Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) January 8, 2014

Congratulations to Thomas Hitzelsperger - welcome to the club!
— John Amaechi OBE (@JohnAmaechi) January 8, 2014

Olympic champion Brian Boitano comes out in a statement on being appointed to Olympic delegation

"I am currently skating in Europe but want to provide a statement regarding my appointment to the Olympic delegation. I have been fortunate to represent the United States of America in three different Olympics, and now I am honored to be part of the presidential delegation to the Olympics in Sochi. It has been my experience from competing around the world and in Russia that Olympic athletes can come together in friendship, peace and mutual respect regardless of their individual country's practices.

"It is my desire to be defined by my achievements and my contributions. While I am proud to play a public role in representing the American Olympic Delegation as a former Olympic athlete, I have always reserved my private life for my family and friends and will continue to do so. I am many things: a son, a brother, and uncle, a friend, an athlete, a cook, an author, and being gay is just one part of who I am.

"First and foremost I am an American athlete and I am proud to live in a country that encourages diversity, openness and tolerance. As an athlete, I hope we can remain focused on the Olympic spirit which celebrates achievement in sport by peoples of all nations." - Olympic champion Brian Boitano

(via press release)

Holiday video: All Chicago Gay Hockey Assn "All I Want For Christmas"

Very cute video from the players of the CGHA.  What they might lack in musical skills they more than make up for in their sense of fun.  AND they have a very special holiday message for you!

We want you to put aside your differences. And to spend some time getting closer to your family and friends. If you take a step back and look, you may surprise yourself with how much you have in common with people. The person next to you on the train could become your best friend. After all, aren't we all just looking for love? Don't forget to laugh a little. And sing a little. Happy Holidays y'all!

The Chicago Gay Hockey Association (CGHA) is Chicago's Official gay hockey organization. You can follow them on Twitter @ChiGayHockey

Their mission is to provide a non-discriminatory environment within the hockey community. They invite all people with a passion for ice hockey -- novice or pro, male or female, straight or gay -- to contact them, learn to skate, play on a team, volunteer for social events, come to the games, and join the organization.

I think they look like a lot of fun.

(h/t Towleroad)

Diana Nyad, 64, makes history as first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without shark cage

Rainbow flags flying in the wind and cheers on the beach as openly lesbian Diana Nyad made history as the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without a protective shark cage.

From Advocate:

Nyad, 64, walked onto Smather's Beach on her own, completing the 110 mile swim from Cuba to Florida that she had tried to make four times before. She broke the first record early Monday morning for having gone further than anyone else. When the crowd quieted its cheering, she told them, "We should never ever give up."

The swimmer's team reports that she completed the trip in 52 hours, 54 minutes and 18.6 seconds. She used no protective shark cage. Nyad first tried back in 1978, but enormous waves forced her to quit after 42 hours. When she tried in 2011, Nyad said she "hadn’t swum a stroke for 31 years." In 2012 she made it 41 miles before hypothermia, storms, and jellyfish stings forced her to abandon the effort. Still, she set out for one last try, leaving from Cuba on Saturday morning for the fifth time.

"I've got three messages," Nyad said of her accomplishment in a short speech on the shore, according to video from CNN. "One is, we should never ever give up. Two is, you never are too old to chase your dreams. Three is, it looks like a solitary sport but it's a team."

Nike unveils Gay Pride sneaker - the #BeTrue Free Run 5.0

Nike goes a step further in it's support for the LGBT community. Presenting the Gay Pride Sneaker - the #BeTrue Free Run 5.0 - inspired by and supporting the LGBT community, released in time for gay pride season.

From the Advocate:

Profits of #BeTrue sales will go to the LGBT Sports Coalition, which has set the goal to end the practice of anti-LGBT discrimination in sport by 2016.

The sneaker promises a glove-like fit, with a barefoot running feel.

In addition to the shoe, the collection includes sandals, graphic t's and tanks, and an iPhone 5 case.

Check out the entire #BeTrue Collection by clicking here.

Nike is the sponsor of the second annual LGBT Sports Summit next week in Portland, Ore., which brings together leaders from across the LGBT sports movement to figure out how we can all work together toward common goals.

Nike, in addition to its 15-year relationship with LGBT organizations and supporting equality in sport, sponsors top WNBA draft pick and out athlete Brittney Griner and out NBA veteran Jason Collins.

Is Robbie Rogers the 1st openly gay MLS player?

According to the AP, out gay footballer Robbie Rogers will be returning to professional soccer, joining the LA Galaxy and becoming the first openly gay athlete to play in the MLS:

"I don't know what I was so afraid of," Rogers said Friday. "It's been such a positive experience for me. The one thing I've learned from all of this is being gay is not that big of a deal to people."

"People are just really growing and accepting and loving," he added. "Those other things are just not that important to them. I think as the younger get older and the generations come and go, I think times are just becoming more accepting."

Rumors of Rogers return began when Robbie recently trained with the Galaxy.
Outstanding news.  Congrats to Robbie!

Is out soccer player Robbie Rogers planning his return to the game?

Robbie Rogers, pro soccer player who retired and came "out" last February looks like he's testing the waters in terms of a return to the "beautiful game" by currently training with the LA Galaxy.

Perhaps with the huge support Jason is seeing, Rogers may be rethinking the retirement thing.

Regarding Jason Collins' recent coming out, Robbie said:

"I think I was surprised like everyone else. Obviously, I know what it is like going through being gay and being a professional athlete and being closeted and all the emotions and all the thoughts that go through your mind. I don’t know him, but I was very happy and proud for him.

“But most of all, I was happy that our society gave him such a positive response including athletes from all over the world on Twitter. Society is really changing, people are moving along and accepting gay athletes and I think more athletes will follow in his footsteps.

“We will see what happens, but it is definitely a positive step. You can’t just say to someone, ‘Come out, come out,’ it really depends on them.”