View source for LGBTQ Wrestlers and Wrestling Management

[[File:lgbtqwrestlers.jpg|200px|thumb|left]]

Wrestling is a complicated sport that involves many layers.  Historically, the sport originated in Egypt, Greece, Rome, and Turkey as a competitive combat sport which includes various grappling techniques.  Today's wrestling sport has broken into two factions: one that retains those original roots and includes the Greco-Roman and Freestyle competitions that are part of the Olympic games.  A second, modern faction of the sport has added elements of theatre and popular entertainment which also involves a tremendous amount of physical exertion and skill.  

The sport has historically been male only, though it has evolved to include all gender types today.  The nature of the sport, combined with this male focus, has presented elements of homo-eroticism that have appealed to the LGBTQ community.  The sport itself, however, has not been open to LGBTQ participation.  Any representation of the community within the theatrical side of the sport have included overt racial and ethnic characters that exaggerated their feminine characteristics.  Most LGBTQ wrestlers have come out of the closet after retiring.  

Transgender participation in the sport has only recently become a prominent issue.  In 2017, American [[Mack Beggs]] gained international attention when he was forced to compete in the Texas state women's competitive category despite having transitioned to male.  

Other sports have evolved from wrestling.  These include Mixed Martial Arts and Boxing.  

We have identified a number of high profile individuals who participate in the sport of wrestling.  To read their fascinating biographies, simply click on their names. 


'''Canada'''

* [[Terry Garvin]], wrestler
* [[Rosa Mendes]], wrestler
* [[Kenny Omega]], wrestler
* [[Sandy Parker]], wrestler
* [[Pat Patterson]], wrestler

'''Great Britain'''

* [[Yasmin Lander]], wrestler
* [[Jack Sexsmith]], wrestler

'''Israel'''

* [[Nir Rotenberg]], wrestler

'''Mexico'''

* [[Saul Armendariz]], wrestler

'''United States'''

* [[Jake Atlas]], wrestler
* [[Jim Barnett]], owner of the Indianapolis National Wrestling Alliance promotion, Australia's World Championship Wrestling and Georgia Championship Wrestling
* [[Nicole Bass]], wrestler
* [[Mack Beggs]], wrestler
* [[Daria Berenato]], wrestler
* [[Anthony Bowens]], wrestler
* [[Gene Dermody]], wrestler
* [[Jane Geddes]], Senior Vice President, Talent Relations with World Wrestling Entertainment 
* [[Jesse Godderz]], wrestler
* [[Matt Hullum]], wrestler
* [[Dot Jones]], wrestler
* [[Orlando Jordan]]  wrestler
* [[Christopher Kanyon]], wrestler
* [[Mike Parrow]], wrestler
* [[Hudson Taylor]], wrestler
* [[Darren Young]], wrestler

==See Also==

* [[The Community of LGBTQ Boxers]]
* [[Professional LGBTQ Mixed Martial Artists]]

==Further Reading/Research==

* https://www.dailydot.com/irl/wwe-professional-wrestling-gay-lgbt-storylines-characters/
* https://nylon.com/articles/exoticos-velveteen-xo-lishus
* https://www.vice.com/en_us/topic/wrestling
* https://lastwordonprowrestling.com/2018/05/23/lgbt-wrestling-in-2018-a-glimpse-into-a-better-future/

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