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Pro wrestler Anthony Bowens comes out as gay

The athlete announced to the public that he was bisexual in 2017

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Anthony Bowens and Michael Pavano. (Screenshot via YouTube)

Pro wrestler Anthony Bowens came out as bisexual in 2017 but the 28-year-old now says he identifies as gay.

Bowens came out for the second time in a YouTube video titled “COMING OUT… again” with his boyfriend Michael Pavano.

“The main purpose of this video is to tell everybody that I prefer to be labeled now as gay. There’s going to be ‘thank you, it’s great that you’re being open and honest and we love you’, there’s going to be the ‘well, we knew that’ and there’s going to be the ‘bi now gay later’ people,” Bowens says in the video.

He continued: “I really didn’t have a thought of men until maybe midway through high school, towards the latter end, I had a dream about one of my friends. And…but after that dream I was like, ‘Ooh. Something’s different here.’ And I kept having more of them…and then I identified myself then as liking both genders. I came out as bisexual.”

Bowens says at the time identifying as bisexual “was a very real thing” and that he chose the label because he didn’t know much about the LGBT community.

“As you get older, your viewpoints change. The way you look at the world changes, the way you look at yourself changes. Specifically more so in the past couple of months, this past year, I was looking at some old articles of mine because I was coming up with a new character for my wrestling career. And the articles kept labeling me as ‘bisexual’, and it was kind of annoying me that they had to continually put what I was, I couldn’t just be a professional wrestler, I was the ‘bisexual pro wrestler’ but I just wasn’t identifying with that term anymore,” Bowens says.

Bowens publicly came out as bisexual in 2017 after his teammates found a video Pavano posted on YouTube of the couple doing “The Laughing Challenge.”

Watch below.

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PHOTOS: Lambda Legal in the Pines

Fundraiser held at ‘Normal Heart’ house

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A scene from the 'Lambda Legal in the Pines' fundraiser on July 25. (Photo by Santiago Felipe)

The LGBTQ organization Lambda Legal held its annual “Lambda Legal in the Pines” fundraiser on Saturday, July 25. The event was held at a house on Fire Island featured in Ryan Murphy’s 2014 HBO film, “The Normal Heart.”

Organizers say over $500,000 was raised to support Lambda Legal’s national litigation and advocacy work.

(Photos by Santiago Felipe)

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Come showcase your singing, poetry talent

Spark Social open mic night planned for Aug. 13

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Spark Social will host “Open Mic Night” on Thursday, Aug. 13 at 8 p.m. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Spark Social will host “Open Mic Night” on Thursday, Aug. 13 at 8 p.m.

Get ready to share your talent or just kick back and enjoy some great performances. This event is a fun, laid-back vibe where everyone’s welcome to take the stage. Sign-ups are first-come, first-served, but you can also DM Spark Social on Instagram to reserve a performance spot. Whether you’re a singer, poet, or comedian, this is your chance to get on stage and share your art. More details are available on Eventbrite

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Calendar

Calendar: July 31-August 6

LGBTQ events in the days to come

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Friday, July 31

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at DIK Bar. This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite

Saturday, August 1

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Sunday, August 2

“Black Gay Flea: Summer Kickback” will be at 12 p.m. at Wunder Garten. This is a space created to celebrate Black LGBTQ+ creatives, artists, makers, entrepreneurs, and the community that shows up for them. Come spend the afternoon shopping with local vendors, discovering new brands, supporting small businesses, and connecting with people from across the DMV. More details are on Eventbrite

Monday, August 3

“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam ([email protected]).

Tuesday, August 4

The DC Anti-Violence Project will host “Soul Centered” at 7 p.m. at Thurst Lounge. This is not a dating event in the traditional sense. It is a space to meet kindred spirits, future collaborators, mentors, friends, or maybe someone who reminds you of what’s possible. Romance may happen, but it’s not the expectation. For more details, visit DCAVP website.

Wednesday, August 5

Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.

Center Aging Women’s Social & Discussion Group will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older LGBTQ+ women can meet and socialize with one another. To register, visit the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center’s website.

Thursday, August 6

The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the Center. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245. 

Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breath work and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center’s website.  

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