Diversity Rules Magazine

Diversity Rules Magazine| Sept 2020 | 21 ity was kept private during his me with the WWE (1995-2004). Chris was originally part of the World Championship Wrestling, joining Mark Starr in a tag team "Men at Work." Eventually, he went solo, un- der the alias Mor s, and wrestled for many years with the WCW. In 2001, a er the WWF purchased the WCW, Chris began using his own name and wres- tled for three years un l injuries forced him to re re in 2004. Upon re rement, Chris started a gimmick that he was gay, sta ng that as his reason from being released from the WWE. He later clarified that it was just a publicity stunt, but acknowledged that he was a gay man living in a closeted world. Sadly, on April 2, 2010, having suffered with bi-polar disorder his en- re life, Chris Kanyon commi ed suicide at the age of 40. A year later, a book en tled Wrestling Reality was released, which details Chris Kanyon's struggles as a closeted gay man. But it is Darren Young who is the first openly gay man while working for the WWE. Darren became inter- ested in wrestling as a teenager, he eventually went to a wrestling school and later made his professional debut as a wrestler in 2002 and spent years on the independent circuit, leading to the WWE in 2005. He won many matches and tles as a solo ar st (I guess it's an art), and later became a part of the duo team The Prime Time Players (with Titus O'Neil) for several years. He le the WWE in 2017, and now wrestles on the independent circuit again, under his real name: Frederick Douglas Rosser III. In an interview on August 15, 2013, Darren publicly came out, being the first current WWE wrestler to do so. Upon his coming out, the WWE had released a statement in support of him and being open about his sexuality, and many other wrestlers showed their support to him through social media. As more professional wrestlers come out of the closet, they can thank these three men for breaking down the door for them. Whether it was during or a er their associa on with wrestling to come out, they showed strength in standing in their truth, and in doing so, will become inspira onal men for future wrestlers. Pat Patterson

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