Anthony Bowens has topped Out Magazine’s list of groundbreakers as part of 2023’s Most Impactful and Influential LGBTQ+ People.
Bowens, who came out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community in 2017, has been recognised for his achievements in an industry where there are very few out figures.
Speaking with Out Magazine, The Acclaimed member revealed that he was hesitant to come out as he was concerned about the effect it would have on his wrestling career:
“There’s a time where I wasn’t out, I was in the closet, and I didn’t know how that would affect my career,” Bowens shares. “And part of wanting to come out was to help people who were in my shoes and to do that through my love of professional wrestling.”
In a wholesome moment back in June, fans chanted “He’s gay” in support of Anthony Bowens during a segment of AEW Rampage. Reposted on social media, multiple names in the wrestling world showed their support for the chant seen on Rampage.
Currently reigning as one-third of the AEW Trios Champions alongside Max Caster and Billy Gunn, Bowens stated how proud he was at becoming the first gay wrestler to hold a championship in the promotion:
“I have the honor of being AEW’s first gay champion when I won the tag-team title last year. But we got the gold back around our waist and I’m super excited about it,”
Acknowledging the achievement on social media, Bowens thanked all of the fans for their support during his time in All Elite Wrestling:
I’m extremely honored to be named the #1 groundbreaker on the @outmagazine 2023 Out100 list. A list highlighting this year’s most impactful & influential LGBTQ+ people. I love you all & thank you for coming along with me on this amazing journey. @AEW
Still looking to make history in wrestling, Anthony Bowens wants to become the first gay World Champion in AEW.
Anthony Bowens Orchestrates The World’s Largest Scissor Celebration
The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn captured the Trios Titles in front of a record-breaking crowd at All In, where the trio defeated The House of Balck to become the new champions. With the Wembley crowd delighted at the result of the match, over 81,000 people would show their appreciation by scissoring en masse.