Pro wrestler opens up on Good Morning Britain for the first time since coming out: ‘My career has got better since’
Mike Parrow claims his professional wrestler teammates urged him to come out the closet
By Joshua Haigh
Pro wrestler Mike Parrow has opened up in his first interview since coming out of the closet.
The US star, who’s rumoured to be signing up for the WWE, told the ITV morning show that his journey to revealing his sexuality publicly hasn’t been an easy one.
“First, I was Catholic, so I went to Catholic school my whole life,” he explained. “My mum was very Catholic, and there was never any talk or anything about being gay. It was just never brought up.”
When he was finally brave enough to open up to those close to him, their reaction sadly wasn’t as positive as he had hoped.
In fact, things became so tough that Parrow turned to gay conversion therapy in a bid to become straight and find acceptance.
“It was the first time I heard people had the same feelings that I did,” he continued. “Being there, I realised I am gay and that is not going to change.”
“One of [the therapy’s] premises is that it’s a choice – it’s not a choice. You’re born this way. So right there, that’s a flawed philosophy. I’m not a doctor and I can’t prove that but I can tell you why I know [gay conversion therapy does not work].”
After his experience, Mike grew to embrace his sexuality. As his career began to take off, he was taken by surprise when his colleagues urged him to come out the closet.
“There’s no role models for athletes because athletes tend to come out after they retire because of fear maybe of rejection, fear of different pay, fear of people just not accepting them for who they are.
“I’ve had the opposite. My career got better since I’ve come out because I know who I am.”
Parrow then went on to add that his biggest dream is to step into the ring at WrestleMania.
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV.