Wrestling’s queer history to be explored in ‘Out in the Ring’

A new upcoming documentary will highlight the hidden history of LGBTQ+ wrestling.

Directed by Ryan Bruce Levey, Out in the Ring will feature both legends and current stars of professional wrestling to discuss the past, present, and future of queer performers in the ring, and how wrestling has been and still is heavily influenced by queer performance art. 

With a mix of both interviews and rare archival footage, the film will focus on the contributions of LGBTQ+ wrestlers and the bigotry they faced, including homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, misogyny, and racism. As a result of this discrimination and hate, many of them struggled with addiction, depression, and injury.

Over two dozen people were interviewed for this groundbreaking, never-before-seen look at representation in the sport of wrestling, including Susan Green, Sgt. Dickson, Iggy “Madness” Mendoza, Sonny Kiss, Mike Parrow, Kiera Hogan, Diamante, Charlie Morgan, AC Mack, Kaitlin Diemond, Effy, Billy Dixon, Lisa Marie Varon, Zack Sabre Jr., SoCal Val, Vandal Drummond, Greg Oliver, Bertrand Hebert, and Wade Keller.

Produced by Brad Webb and for RBL Films, Out in the Ring will make its debut at festivals in May 2021 before premiering online. The film is still crowdfunding for post-production fees. To contribute, visit GoGetFunding.com.

The trailer for the film premiered earlier this week, exclusively with The Advocate. Watch it below!