LOS ANGELES - Fredrick Rosser, who wrestles under the pseudonym Darren Young in World Wrestling Entertainment, made national news Thursday by coming out as gay.
Rosser acknowledges his sexuality during an interview with TMZ.com while he was waiting for his luggage at LAX.
The Union Township, New Jersey native was asked by TMZ if a gay wrestler could succeed in WWE.
"Absolutely. Look at me. I'm a WWE superstar and to be honest with you, I'll tell you right now, I'm gay," Rosser said. "And I'm happy. I'm very happy."
It was touted by TMZ that Young was the first openly gay wrestler in WWE but the company has had a long history at the forefront of gay rights.
Hall of Fame wrestler Pierre "Pat Patterson" Clermont never admitted he was gay on camera as a performer but lived an openly gay lifestyle and was Vince McMahon's No. 2 man in the creative end of the company by the early 1980s.
Current executive Jane Geddes, the former LPGA star who is currently in charge of the WWE Talent Relations, is also openly gay.
"WWE is proud of Darren Young for being open about his sexuality, and we will continue to support him as a WWE Superstar," the company said in a statement release today. "Today, in fact, Darren will be participating in one of our Be A STAR anti-bullying rallies in Los Angeles to teach children how to create positive environments for everyone regardless of age, race, religion or sexual orientation."
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