Pro Wrestler Anthony Bowens: Gay Athlete Defies Hatred

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Professional wrestler Anthony Bowens, a vocal and proud gay athlete, has once again made a powerful statement simply by embracing his authentic self. While in Arlington, Texas, for AEW’s All In: Texas week, Bowens recently revisited a defiant moment from his past that quickly garnered significant attention.

During his appearance at the Starrcast Texas fan event, Bowens became the target of familiar antagonism from a member of the anti-gay Westboro Baptist Church. Responding to Bowens’ promotional poster for Starrcast, the individual posted on X (formerly Twitter): "I’m bringing members of the Westboro Baptist Church with me there to rebuke this sinner!"

A fan ingeniously suggested Bowens respond by kissing his boyfriend in front of the protesters, deeming it an "epic" move. Bowens' concise reply: "Already did." He then re-shared an image from 2021 depicting him kissing his boyfriend, Michael Pavano, directly in front of Westboro protesters.

The image swiftly went viral for a second time, accumulating over 10,500 likes and widespread acclaim from his online supporters. Comments lauded his response, with one person writing, "I respect this response 😂😂 just as good as the middle finger to these losers," and another observing, "Love it. Also funny that they all hate homosexuality so much that they never miss a Pride parade 🤔." Many Christians also expressed their support, with one comment reading, "Know that there are Christians who love and support you."

Beyond the Ring: A Champion for Inclusivity
Bowens publicly came out in 2017 through a personal essay published in Outsports, initially identifying as bisexual before later coming out as gay. His career has gone from strength to strength since then, notably becoming All Elite Wrestling’s first openly gay male champion in 2022. He proudly refers to himself as the "Pride of Pro Wrestling."

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Beyond his achievements in the wrestling ring, Bowens actively uses his platform to uplift and empower others within the gay community. In 2023, he addressed critics who questioned the importance of public figures coming out with a heartfelt social media message:

"If you’re someone making that comment… THIS part of my life isn’t for YOU. It’s for those that can relate to me and the struggles that I have gone through in my life because of it. I didn’t have someone to look up to and now I have the opportunity to be that for others. So yes, it DOES matter."

He concluded by emphasising that shared human experiences—such as grief, bullying, and personal development—transcend individual identities and should be embraced.

"Focus on the things that bring us all together, rather than getting angry at the things that make us different. You’ll live a lot happier life."