Darren Young Is The First Active, Openly-Gay WWE Pro Wrestler

Aug. 15 2013, Published 12:02 p.m. ET
UPDATE: The feedback to Darren Young's admission today -- making him the first-ever openly-gay WWE wrestler -- has been fast, furious, and overwhelmingly positive. His bosses, WWE execs Stephanie McMahon and Triple H, both sent congratulatory tweets, with the latter telling him, "Congratulations for living YOUR life, YOUR way. #proud." GLAAD spokesperson Wilson Cruz said in a statement, "Darren Young's courageous decision to speak out about being gay gives countless young LGBT people, athletes, and fans of the WWE someone to cheer for and look to. With a demonstrated commitment to anti-bullying initiatives and LGBT inclusion, the WWE has paved the way for a gay Superstar to be welcomed and supported." And his tag-team partner, Titus O’Neil, in a statement released via his spokesperson, Bridge and Tunnel Communications' Dominic Friesen, said that "what Darren did was brave and courageous! It's only because we live in a country that respects the individual rights of people to express who they really are. He has been an excellent friend and I support him wholeheartedly."