Gay WWE star rips UAE tour stop; company won't send him to show
WWE superstar Darren Young, who last summer became the first active professional wrestler to acknowledge he is gay, tweeted his displeasure Tuesday with WWE's upcoming tour stop in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates -- where homosexuality is a crime. Young, whose real name is Fred Rosser, began his rant with this since-deleted tweet:
These followed:
While it was not immediately known if Young was referring to WWE with his references to his liberties being taken away, later in the evening the company issued this statement, according to SB Nation:
But the response from the Twitterverse was immediate, and very supportive of Young:
@DarrenYoungWWE 1 more right here that has your back!
— Sean Waltman (@TheRealXPac) February 11, 2015
@DarrenYoungWWE You're a real inspiration to a lot of fans including myself, and it's just from you being you. I & we all got your back :)
— Silverback (@Silverback_cp) February 11, 2015
@DarrenYoungWWE A ton of us have your back. Keep speaking the truth like you always do. Always fight for what is right and just.
— Fat Bot (@Fat_bot) February 11, 2015
@DarrenYoungWWE It's freedom of speech, Not freedom of consequences...
— ø (@630Senton) February 11, 2015
@DarrenYoungWWE there are so many people who support and respect you. We are in your corner and we have got your back! Stay strong??
— Megan⚓️ (@megan_geddes) February 11, 2015
@DarrenYoungWWE your words will make it around. Good for you for standing up and stating the truth. #NOH8
— Jessica (@jesi81) February 11, 2015
You can get life in prison for being gay in the United Arab Emirates but @DarrenYoungWWE is the bad guy for speaking out. @wwe #BeAStar
— Rich (@shamtown) February 11, 2015
@DarrenYoungWWE Abu Dhabi is missing out. You don't want to go somewhere that's full of ignorance anyway. More fool the company!
— Kev Cash (@KevCash26) February 11, 2015
@DarrenYoungWWE You're not alone. You've got mad respect and love from me and a whole lot of people. Thank you for your words. ❤️
— call me bucky (@longroadtohale) February 11, 2015
@DarrenYoungWWE No! your freedom of speech is NOT gone! its a free country ..say what u want! who cares what they think!
— Leighann (@NASCARChick_10) February 11, 2015
"@DarrenYoungWWE: My freedom of speech is gone. Gone but not forgotten." Makes those MLK & Veteran montages WWE plays a bit laughable. #NOH8
— AC (@acmalin927) February 11, 2015
@DarrenYoungWWE Props to you for speaking your mind. You have my respect.
— Chad (@Chad_D_722) February 11, 2015
Much respect @DarrenYoungWWE for stating true fact. You've got my support ?
— Joshua Chassereau (@Randominance) February 11, 2015
