In a new episode of PEOPLE’s Coming Out Stories, professional wrestler Anthony Bowens once again opens up about his coming out experience.
In the video, Bowens explains that he kept his bisexuality a closely guarded secret from friends and family for many years. Even after he and Michael entered a relationship, he asked if they could keep things discreet.
Related: Pro wrestler Anthony Bowens reveals how he met his boyfriend. Spoiler alert: It’s complicated.
“It’s funny thinking about it now,” 27-year-old Bowens recalls, “but I was so scared back then.”
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He continues, “As athletes, you’re a very close-knit group of people. You play on the field together. You’re changing together. You’re showering together. It made me unsure of, like, hey, if I did come out, would they accept me?”
It wasn’t until he appeared in a YouTube video where he talked about Michael as his “boyfriend” that Bowens’ peers saw it and, to his surprise, were supportive of him.
Related: Pro wrestler Anthony Bowens on the trials and travails of being openly bisexual
Bowens says the response was “overwhelmingly positive.”
“And then I broke down,” he says. “And it just …It was just a relief.”
Watch.
Ksb1978
Amazing!
Bob LaBlah
So how’s your paycheck and fan base (increasing/decreasing) doing since the big revelation?
troyfight
maybe he’s overexposed ^Bob Lablah, but still compare his situation to 30 years ago.
crowebobby
I’m waiting for the day when no gay person feels the need to be thankful because a straight person has “accepted” them.
Donston
“Gay-leaning” in this case cause he identifies as bi.
Queers are the only types that still get caught up in people “accepting” them. It goes to show that as much as people continue to spout: “It’s 20whatever. It doesn’t matter anymore”, the self-consciousness, fear, fractured egos and socialogical pressure many gay and gay-leaning people feel is no joke.
mz.sam
If this dude was my boyfriend, I’d let him throw me around the caged bed and doing anything his sexual imagination desire to me.
scotty
hey you can come shower with me anytime.
Notright
The first step for gay men to be happy is to be out. Second is to get a relationship. Check here to see how likely it is you’ll get a long term happy relationship https://packedman.com/will-you-find-love/
Lacuevaman
you sure do live up to your name!