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Darren Young is determined to put his recent reveal to good use. Just one day after the WWE wrestler came out as gay to a TMZ videographer at LAX, the young star (real name: Fredrick Douglas Rosser) sat down on the Today show with Matt Lauer on Friday, Aug. 16, to discuss why he chose that specific moment to come out.
“I felt like it was the right place and the right time and I feel by coming out I’m going to make a big difference in a lot of people’s lives,” the 29-year-old said. “I have been suppressing these feelings for so long in my life. I’m going to be 30 on November 2nd and I just need to be happy.” He added, “Until the day I’m six feet under I will always say I want to be happy and I’m happy now.” Young also revealed that he’s currently in love.
Young was at first terrified about how people would respond, but he was soon “very surprised” when friends from the WWE organization immediately reached out to him.
Among those who contacted Young were WWE producer Vince McMahon, Stephanie McMahon, Paul Levesque (Triple H) and another fellow athlete that made headlines as the first NBA player to come out in April 2013. “I talked to Jason Collins last night too and he gave me advice on how to handle the whole situation,” Young revealed. He added that Collins inspired him and also gave him advice on “how to cope with it and be positive and be a strong individual.”
Young expects a mixed reaction on his first stint back in the ring, but hopes to inspire and help others along the way. “At the end of the day I want to be able to be a role model,” he said. “I want to be a role model to people that are afraid to come out. I want to be there.”
