WWE discusses including LGBT storylines in future programs
World Wrestling Entertainment Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon recently talked about the company’s commitment to LGBT inclusivity.
At a Beyond Sport United event in New York this week, WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon said her organisation, known for its entertainment-based, storyline-driven wrestling competitions, is committed to LGBT visibility.
“Throughout my life, I have grown up knowing gay [WWE] superstars and executives,” Ms McMahon told NBC OUT. “It’s always been accepted, but now it’s about getting that message out there.”
The chief brand officer also referenced wrestling legend Pat Patterson, the first WWE Intercontinental Champion, who recently released a book entitled “Accepted”.
“It’s about his life as a gay wrestler and how from the beginning of his career he had to hide that,” McMahon said. “He first came out on a show on WWE Network called ‘Legends’ House.’ It was a reality show with a bunch of our legends, and he had such a positive response.
“It was so warm and supportive that he then decided to tell his story.”
She included that the wrestling company is committed to inclusive storytelling and said, “when it makes sense… absolutely we will integrate LGBT storylines into our program.”
The organisation is also partnered with LGBT media advocacy group GLAAD, which assists in prioritising sensitivity in their writers’ room.
“We’ve had GLAAD come in and speak to our entire writing team and give a whole tutorial on sensitivities, the right words, the wrong words, why those words matter,” McMahon said. “In terms of any issues that require a degree of sensitivity in terms of how they’re being handled, we are always going to incorporate our partners, like GLAAD, to help us tell those stories the right way, because we do want to be sensitive to our audience, we want to be sensitive to the community and we want to make sure that we’re telling the right messages in the right way.”
This is the second time McMahon has made a comment about including LGBT stories in WWE programs.
