First openly-gay WWE superstar comes out: 'I'm happy with who I am'
WWE professional wrestler Darren Young announced this week that he was gay.
In an interview with TMZ at the baggage claim area of the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Young was asked if a gay wrestler could be successful in the WWE.
"Absolutely. Look at me," Young replied. "You know, I'm a WWE superstar and to be honest with you, I'll tell you right now, I'm gay. And I'm happy. Very happy."
The TMZ interviewer replied that he was "flabbergasted" because no WWE wrester had come out while still under contract.
"I just don't think it matters," Young said. "Does it matter? Does it matter to you? Does it change what you think about me?"
"I guess if you want to call it coming out, I really don't know what to say it is, but I'm just letting you know that I'm happy with who I am, I'm comfortable with myself, and I'm happy to be living the dream," he continued. "To be honest with you, I'm happy with myself, and some people might not like it and some people will like it. But I'm here to please myself, I'm here to be happy. It's very important I'm happy with myself."
According to TMZ, Young is the "first openly gay wrestler ever at WWE ... and the first headlining wrestler ever to come out while still signed to a major promotion."
Update (12:30 p.m. ET): WWE released a statement in support of Young.
On TMZ this morning, WWE Superstar Darren Young revealed to the WWE Universe that he is gay. WWE is proud of Darren Young for being open about his sexuality, and we will continue to support him as a WWE Superstar. Today, in fact, Darren will be participating in one of our Be A STAR anti-bullying rallies in Los Angeles to teach children how to create positive environments for everyone regardless of age, race, religion or sexual orientation.Watch this video from TMZ, uploaded on Aug. 15, 2013.
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