Fred Rosser – OUTshine Film Festival

By: Jamie Steinberg

Q) What does it mean to you be honored as the 2019 Vanguard Award Winner at OUTshine Film Festival? 

A) Wow, I’m still in shock! I was totally caught off guard and completely dumbfounded when I first found out that I was being honored. I’m so proud to be recognized for such a prestigious award (The Vanguard Award).  Honestly, it’s an amazing feeling to be appreciated for the walls and stigmas I’ve broken down in the very masculine world of professional wrestling. Receiving this award is my biggest honor ever!!!

Q) As a former resident of Miami Beach, you will also be receiving the key to Miami. How do plan to celebrate this incredible achievement? 

A) My mom will be in attendance. She’s actually never been to Miami, even though I lived in South Beach for almost five years. I was always traveling and on the road at the time with WWE so I rarely had anytime home…always on the go. My mom is my personal photographer. Since she’s on the payroll, best believe I’ll be putting my mother to work taking photos all over South Beach. [laughs]

Q) As the first openly gay “active’ professional wrestler, what do you hope your fans and fans of wrestling learn from your journey? 

A) Once I came out publicly to the world, I became more than just a WWE superstar. I became a role a model for other LGBTQ athletes, someone who paved a path for them to follow. One of the best pieces of advice I give to our youth or anyone that may get bullied into silence is: Come out when you feel comfortable! At the end of the day, make sure you come out because when you do come out, it’s truly the best feeling in the world and that heavy weight of rejection is slowly lifted.

Q) The sports community hasn’t always been so welcoming to out athletes. What do you think the sports industry needs to incorporate for effective inclusion? 

A) Looking back, the biggest mistake I made was feeling ashamed of who I was. I don’t know what else I would be if I wasn’t just simply me. In looking back, I see nothing to regret and little to correct because what you see is what you get as far as I’m concerned. I’m not the first and I’m definitely not the last. It’s so important to me that we have more LGBTQ representation in sports and beyond. We need more Out athletes. I want people to see me on that big screen or on my social media who identify with me and say to themselves if he can do it then so can I.  Not to toot my own horn, but there’s absolutely nobody that represents the community inside the ring and outside of the ring more than yours truly. I always say I don’t celebrate being gay, I celebrate and encourage others to celebrate being yourself, living your life free from hate and free from judgement.

Q) You created the #BlockTheHate movement. Why was this such an important movement for you to create? 

A) The #BLOCKTHEHATE movement started with me, the first openly gay WWE Superstar. I was the first to come out while being active on the WWE roster. Ever since then my goal has been to inspire others to be comfortable in their own skin. The point of this movement is to show that we all aren’t as different from each other as we think. We all get bullied for one reason or another but in order to be strong and successful, you must BLOCK THE HATE.

Q) What advice would you offer the younger generation or up and coming athletes struggling with their sexuality? 

A) Being honest with your family is such an important step in getting all parts of your life to fit together.  It’s also very important to give your family time to process the information when you come out to them. Many people hesitate to come out because they don’t want to discredit their family name. No one should ever force you to come out. You come out when you’re ready! For me, coming out greatly improved my performance as an athlete and my well-being as a person. Instead of worrying about what others may think of me or might be saying, I was able to fully own who I am and focus that energy on my wrestling and advocacy work.

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

A) Honestly, it breaks my heart to know that so many young adults, including myself, had to hide who they really are and be afraid that society won’t accept them. It should not require bravery for young children and adults to be themselves. I know there are people that don’t have that support system, so I always encourage people to be a part of my family on social media. My social media is my open diary to the world. Anything I post comes from my heart and with the intent to inspire, educate and comfort our youth.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of all you do as an athlete and an advocate? 

A) None of us are as strong as all of us together. So, continue to inspire…continue to fight for what’s right and I’ll see you at the finish line! Be a part of my social media family on Instagram @realfredrosser and follow my podcast on Instagram at @proandbrowrestling #BLOCKTHEHATE