Column: Darren Young is gay... what about it?

Darren Young

After being unsure of what to focus my latest article on, I decided that the recent revelation that ‘Darren Young is gay’ would serve as the perfect platform. Although this is a WWE-based writer and my primary focus will always be on professional wrestling, Young’s newsflash over his sexuality is something that needs to be addressed not only in wrestling but in all walks of life, regardless of profession or cultural background.

What’s really awful is that already there have been messages of hate or oppression upon Darren Young because of his lifestyle choices by narrow-minded individuals. And as terrible as it is, the bad will always eclipse the good in these situations, the more likely they are to wound, despite the support being there from a majority of regular people.

Does ones sexual preference mean they are any less of a performer or ‘superstar’? I for one certainly believe that isn’t the case. Who you choose to go to bed with has no bearing on your ability as an entertainer or sportsmen for the millions of gripped fans every week on TV. And if anything, you could be using you position as a person of influence to thousands and thousands of fans to be promoting good, honest, positive messages.

A perfect example of someone who was oppressed by sexuality within the world of wrestling is the late (and in my opinion massively underrated, if not hampered by injuries) Chris Kanyon. He was entertaining and did certainly have a degree of talent between the ropes, but his private life was contentious and attributed to a source of his depression, which ultimately led to the WWE alumni’s death in 2010, at just 40 years old. From his days as Mortis and being part of The Flock, winning the United States Championship gold and teaming with DDP to become WCW and WWE Tag Team titleholders to his eventual retirement due to constant injuries, Kanyon was a memorable part of a certain era of pro-wrestling where it was still taboo to be openly gay.