More than ever these days, wrestlers and athletes, in general, seem more comfortable expressing their sexuality. Kanyon was ahead of his time a bit in that way before the likes of Darren Young and Sonya Deville were WWE's first openly gay superstars. It has reached a point where there are more openly gay or bisexual wrestlers than ever before.

These aren't just independent standouts either. Some of these wrestlers are big names for the most prominent wrestling companies in the world. They are members of the LGBTQ+ community, and it feels like more wrestlers are coming out on a consistent basis.

UPDATE: 2024/03/23 14:30 EST BY BENJAMIN VIEIRA

In professional wrestling today, there have been some true progress made towards representation for the LGBTQ+ community. Wrestlers are being given more exposure and opportunities. Storylines about the LGBTQ+, which were blatantly offensive and disrespectful in the past, have gotten much better. However, there is still work to be done, just like in society at large. LGBTQ+ rights are under attack in numerous places around the world and this discrimination must not be tolerated. It is up to everyone to work towards achieving a society with true respect, acceptance, and equality for all people.

Asuka/Veny Has Competed In Both Japan And The United States

They Have Wrestled In Pro Wrestling Wave And AEW

• One of the most popular wrestlers in Japan, Veny is also the first openly known transgender wrestler in the country.
• They are a former WWWD World Champion and Wave Single Champion.
• Veny dropped out of high school to become a professional wrestler.

Although they might share a name with the most popular Japanese wrestler in WWE, this Asuka is actually a trans wrestler from Yokohama, Japan. Although they have spent most of their career in their native country, they also competed in AEW in 2021 under the ring name Veny (likely to avoid confusion with WWE's Asuka).

During their time in AEW, they would team up with fellow Joshi wrestlers Maki Itoh and Emi Sakura to take on Hikaru Shida, Mei Suruga and Rin Kadokura. They would also have a singles match to their credit, losing to Emi Sakura in AEW Women's World Title Eliminator Tournament. Still young at 25 years old, Asuka/Veny still has a whole lot of wrestling ahead of them.

After Leaving WWE, Fred Rosser Showed What He Could Do

He Was The First Openly Gay Wrestler In WWE History

• Rosser has been involved in professional wrestling since 2002.
• He was part of The Nexus stable while in WWE and later The Prime Time Players with Titus O'Neil.
• He is a former WWE Tag Team Champion and NJPW Strong Openweight Champion.

Fred Rosser is most known for his time in WWE, where he competed under the name Darren Young. During his WWE career, Rosser worked as a member of the infamous stable Nexus, and as one-half of the Prime Time Players alongside Titus O'Neil. He and O'Neil became WWE Tag Team Champions during their alliance.

Rosser made history when he came out as gay in 2013, becoming the first wrestler to ever be openly LGBT while working in WWE. Today, Rosser competes for NJPW and helps represent the company to its American audience.

Effy Has Become One Of The Biggest Stars In Independent Wrestling

The GCW Mainstay Has Earned Six Figures On The Indies

• Effy is real-life friends with Allie Katch. Together, they make up the tag team BUSSY.
• He has adopted the nickname, "The Weapon of Sass Destruction."
• Effy is one of the most successful professional wrestlers on the independent scene today.

Easily one of the most influential LGBTQ+ wrestlers on the independent wrestling circuit, the very gay and very proud Effy is beloved by fans online for his unabashed enthusiasm, colorful attire, comedic talent and the ability to compete in deathmatches just as well as he can scrap in a technical encounter.

More than just a wrestler, Effy has shown just how much money there is to be made by becoming a brand as in an interview with Business Insider, he revealed a six-figure income, something many indie wrestlers would kill for. Although he is an independent wrestler, Effy can be seen most often wrestling for GCW.

Commander Sterling Got Over For Their YouTube Content

They Have Displayed Incredible Creativity Over Their Career

• Commander Sterling is a non-binary professional wrestler who uses she/they pronouns.
• They are originally from London, England.
• Commander Sterling has wrestled for a variety of different independent promotions as a heel.

Although they are known more for their highly beloved Youtube channel where they absolutely skewer and rip apart the foulest practices of the video game industry, Stephanie Sterling has also competed as a pro wrestler. They competed under a mask in the past as "Sterdust" a parody of Cody Rhodes' Stardust gimmick in WWE, but that gimmick has been shelved in favor of competing simply as Jim Sterling.

Known for their cartoonishly evil supervillain persona and willingness to take an absolute beating in the ring, Sterling has shown that their creativity and verbal skills from their Youtube channel translated well into a pro wrestling career.

Veda Scott Is A Veteran In The Wrestling Business

They Wrestled In Numerous Promotions For Over A Decade

• Scott made her debut on May 15, 2011, for Horizon Wrestling Alliance.
• She has held titles in AIW, FWE, DDT Pro-Wrestling, and more.
• Scott was a commentator for AEW's Women's Tag Team Cup Tournament: The Deadly Draw.

Having wrestled on the independent circuit and Ring Of Honor for over a decade, Veda Scott is a non-binary wrestler with a wealth of experience in the industry. Her most prominent stage came in 2020 however when she made a few appearances as a commentator for AEW Dark, one of the company's streaming shows on Youtube. She is also married to acclaimed independent wrestler "Speedball" Mike Bailey, so it is safe to say that wrestling talent will run well in that family if the two decide to have children.

Mercedes Martinez Has Done It All For Almost 20 Years

She Keeps Her Life Private But Shared That She Is Married And Is A Mother

• Martinez is one of the most decorated and accomplished women's wrestlers of the modern era, wrestling in WWE, ROH, AEW, NXT, Shine, Shimmer, and more.
• She entered the professional wrestling business in 2000.
• Martinez keeps a very private personal life.

She only had a cup of coffee in NXT but Mercedes Martinez was actually set to be part of the maligned Retribution stable in 2020. Alas, it wasn't meant to be and after some strong TakeOver performances, Martinez was cut in August of 2021. Despite her short WWE career, Martinez is a seasoned veteran who has been around for nearly two decades and won championships around the world.

Martinez hadn't discussed her sexuality much but that changed in 2019. During an interview with Now This, Martinez revealed that she is a lesbian and that she's married. On top of that, she is also a mother and admits that her child comes first before anything she does inside of a wrestling ring.

Allie Katch Has Wrestled All Over The World

The Independent Star Has Wrestled In AEW, GCW, And Progress Wrestling

• Allie Katch revealed that she was pansexual in 2019.
• She and Effy have been one of the most successful acts in all of professional wrestling.
• Katch has wrestled and everywhere throughout her career.

Allie Katch is one of the biggest stars on the independent scene today. She has appeared in multiple wrestling promotions over the years, including Progress Wrestling and an episode of AEW Dark. Katch is undoubtedly most known for her work in GCW; she frequently competes in hardcore matches, displaying her incredible toughness and grit for the indie wrestling world. She and Effy compete as a tag team together (Bussy) and are former GCW Tag Team Champions.

Charlie Morgan Has Wrestled For Over A Decade

She Is A Mainstay Of Pro-Wrestling: EVE

• Morgan has most notably wrestled for NXT UK, specifically the 2018 UK Championship Tournament show.
• In her debut match, she wrestled Saraya in a multi-person tag team match.
• She is a current EVE Tag Team Champion with her wife, Jetta.

Most casual wrestling fans might not know who Charlie Morgan is. She did have some appearances for WWE but it was for the NXT UK brand that doesn't typically have as many viewers as Raw, Smackdown, or NXT. However, Morgan is already a veteran of about a decade and worked prominently for PROGRESS.

A company that Morgan often appears for is Pro-Wrestling: EVE and it was at one of their events that she publicly came out as gay. She is also married to former pro wrestler Jetta, who wrestled often for SHIMMER during the 2000s. Their relationship is a staple of both of their Instagram accounts.

Diamante Has Achieved A Lot In The Business

The Current AEW Star Signed With The Company In 2020

• Diamante was formerly known as Angel Rose.
• She was a former member of LAX in TNA.
• Diamante and Kiera Hogan have been together since 2019.

Diamante is one of those wrestlers who has managed to accomplish a fair amount and be well known despite never being under WWE contract. She first rose to fame in Impact Wrestling as Angel Rose but recently made some history after inking a deal with AEW. Soon after debuting, she was one-half of the team to win the Women's Tag Team Tournament.

Though her partner is no longer with AEW, Diamante has remained a cog of the women's division, including a notable feud on AEW Dark against Big Swole. In 2019, Diamante announced that she was in a relationship with fellow female wrestler Kiera Hogan.

Kiera Hogan Made A Big Impact In TNA

She Is A Two-Time Knockouts World Tag Team Champion

• Hogan has been wrestling since 2015.
• She and Tasha Steelz made up the tag team Fire 'N' Flava in TNA.
• She currently wrestles for AEW and ROH.

Speaking of Kiera Hogan, her romance with Diamante also has her as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Similar to her partner, Hogan has become quite notable even if she has never worked for WWE. During her time with Impact Wrestling, she held the Knockouts Tag Team Titles on two occasions.

In 2021, Hogan made the decision to leave Impact Wrestling. She has since shown up several times on AEW, competing against the likes of Jade Cargill and Hikaru Shida, and taking part in a battle royale at All Out, which also included Diamante.

Fans Love Anthony Bowens And The Acclaimed

The Energetic And Exciting Star Is A Former AEW World Tag Team Champion

• Anthony Bowens and Max Caster formed The Acclaimed when they both went to AEW.
• Bowens is the first openly gay champion in AEW history.
• He has been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ representation in professional wrestling.

Sticking with the AEW theme, it's Anthony Bowens. As one half of The Acclaimed, Bowens works with Max Caster to rap and annoy pretty much everyone who they step into the ring against. Bowens is the quieter of the bunch but he packs a huge punch and is a quality in-ring performer.

Sports Illustrated covered Bowens's rise in wrestling and how he takes pride in being a role model for the community. He is openly gay and has various photos and videos on his social media accounts with his significant other that their followers love to see.

Max The Impaler Is A Powerful Force In Professional Wrestling

They Have Competed In Numerous Promotions

• Max the Impaler has been in the professional wrestling business since 2018.
• They are a former champion in OVW, NWA, and IWA-Mid South.
• Max The Impaler has made appearances in GCW, HOG, TNA, and ICW.

Max the Impaler is a non-binary powerhouse who wreaks havoc on whatever promotion they compete in. They've worked for several promotions across the globe, including Ring of Honor, IMPACT, NWA, and TJPW. Their distinctive, apocalyptic style makes them immediately recognizable (not to mention incredibly imposing) and their unmatched strength in the ring never fails to entertain. Max debuted just five years ago in 2018, meaning that they likely haven't even reached their peak yet.

Despite A Rough Start, Piper Niven Has Finally Found Her Footing In WWE

She Is A Former WWE Women's Tag Team Champion With Chelsea Green

• Niven previously used the name "Viper" on the independent scene.
• She is a multi-time champion, having held titles in ICW and WOS.
• She has been married since 2021.

Many fans were highly disappointed to see that WWE chose to rename Piper Niven when she made it to the main roster and was paired up with Eva Marie, mainly because the name given to her was Doudrop. Since then, she has worked hard to remain a vital piece of WWE's women's division.

Before that, she was a viable contender to Kay Lee Ray's UK Women's Title reign on NXT UK, while also appearing for PROGRESS and being part of the Mae Young Classic. In 2019, Doudrop officially came out as bisexual on Celebrate Bisexuality Day and she recently got married. She is currently a WWE Women's Tag Team Champion with Chelsea Green and also returned to using her original Piper Niven name.

Sonny Kiss Displayed Incredible Athleticism In AEW

She Recently Departed AEW

• Kiss made her in-ring debut in 2013.
• She debuted for TNA in 2023 at the Bound For Glory Call Your Shot Battle Royal.
• Kiss and Trinity fought on a recent episode of Impact.

There might not be a ton of wins under Sonny Kiss's belt in AEW but that doesn't mean the star hasn't made a splash. Kiss has used impressive athleticism, captivating charisma, and likable personality traits to find a legion of fans. Kiss actually first appeared in Lucha Underground before the AEW signing.

Sonny Kiss is the most prominent pro wrestler to identify as genderfluid. Kiss uses she/her pronouns, as seen on both her Instagram and X account bios. Sonny's contract with AEW recently expired, and "the Concrete Rose" made her debut in TNA at Bound For Glory 2023.

"Timeless" Toni Storm Is Hitting New Heights In AEW

The Three-Time AEW Women's World Champion Has Become A Huge Star

• Storm began her career wrestling in Progress in 2015.
• She is a world-renowned star and has appeared in countless different companies.
• In 2023, she became the second ever two-time AEW Women's World Champion.

There's no denying that Toni Storm is one of the most talented female wrestlers on WWE's roster. She was the first PROGRESS Women's Champion, won the NXT UK Women's Title, and shined like a huge star in NXT before being called up to Smackdown, where she is almost sure to find success if given the chance.

Storm was rumored to have dated Tyler Bate and Chris Ridgeway in the past, while also confirming a relationship with NJPW star Juice Robinson. So, it came as a surprise to some in 2021 when she came out as bisexual during Pride Month. She is currently married to Robinson and is seeing a career resurgence in AEW as "Timeless" Toni Storm.

Tegan Nox Has Overcome Many Setbacks

Nox Has Been Very Open About Her Sexuality

• Nox wrestled her first match in 2013 for Welsh Wrestling.
• She formerly used the name "Nixon Newell."
• She is a former WCPW Women's Champion, SWE Tag Team Champion, and Attack! Tag Team Champion.

Like Toni Storm, Tegan Nox is an incredible young talent for WWE. The only thing that has held her back is unfortunate injuries, with Nox tearing her ACL before the inaugural Mae Young Classic, tearing her ACL, MCL, and more during the second tournament, and tearing her ACL a third time in 2020.

The resilient young woman keeps coming back and is 29. In July 2020, Nox used an Instagram post to reveal that she was in a relationship with Sierra St. Pierre, who has gone on to become a wrestler. The two have since broken up, with Nox now dating Aly Deliz. Tegan Nox went on to confirm that she is bisexual on an episode of WWE's The Bump.

The Mysterious Abadon Is A Unique Addition To AEW's Roster

Abadon's Zombie Character Has Earned Them A Place In AEW

• Abadon made their debut in 2019 for Respect.
• They are a former RMP Rockettes Champion.
• Abadon signed with AEW in 2020.

The resident zombie of AEW has been a part of the roster since 2020 after they defeated Anna Jay in a shocking squash match. Since then, Abadon has been wreaking havoc on poor, unfortunate wrestlers unfortunate enough to cross paths with them. Unfortunately, injury and lackluster booking have been holding Abadon back in AEW, but hopefully, they get their spotlight soon. Abadon identifies as non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, as shown on their X bio.

Shayna Baszler Is WWE's Resident MMA Star

"The Queen Of Spades" Has Been Private About Her Personal Life

• Baszler had been a dominant athlete in MMA before signing with WWE.
• She has fought in the UFC and other MMA organizations in the past.
• She was a two-time NXT Women's Champion.

The Queen of Spades is one of the most feared wrestlers in WWE's women's division. After two dominant reigns as NXT Women's Champion, Shayna moved up to the main roster in 2020. She is a two-time WWE Women's Tag Team Champion, having won the belts alongside Nia Jax and Ronda Rousey. Shayna is rather private about her personal life, but she has disclosed to the MMA Roasted podcast that she's dated women but doesn't want to paint herself in black or white.

Gisele Shaw Is TNA's "Quintessential Diva"

She Came Out As Transgender In 2022

• Gisele Shaw debuted for Revolution Pro Wrestling in 2019.
• She had a 359-day reign as Rev Pro Undisputed British Women's Champion.
• Shaw has wrestled for TNA since 2022.

"The Quintessential Diva" Gisele Shaw is one of the brightest stars in TNA today. She signed with the company in January 2022 after years of working across the independent circuit in both the US and the UK. Gisele came out as transgender in June 2022 at a Pride Month event in Toronto. Her athleticism, charisma, and beauty make her one of IMPACT's best assets, undoubtedly destined for stardom.

Aubrey Edwards Is AEW's Most Popular Referee

Edwards Has Been Involved In A Number Of AEW Ventures

• Aubrey Edwards was a referee for WWE's Mae Young Classic and Evolution shows before joining AEW.
• She has been involved in AEW Games.
• Edwards has been married for several years.

Aubrey Edwards is without a doubt the most popular referee in AEW, and perhaps the most popular referee in wrestling today. She has been a part of AEW since the company's inception and even officiated the first-ever AEW World Championship match. She also helps out backstage in AEW and assisted in the development of AEW's video game, AEW: Fight Forever. Aubrey identifies as bisexual; she occasionally speaks about her sexuality on her social media, particularly during Pride Month.