When Alex Maze made his wrestling debut in 2019, he felt very alone. Not because his physique – 150 pounds spread over 172 centimeters – made him a small in the land of the colossi, but because he was the only homosexual.
Four years later, the man who became the first openly gay champion of the International Wrestling Syndicate (IWS) is preparing for a historic gala this Saturday in Montreal.
The show planned at the Olympia will welcome six LGBTQ + athletes out of about twenty on the bill.
“This is the first time in Quebec that we have had such a big queer presence,” explains Alexandre Lessard, alias Alex Maze.
“It’s also a great honor for me to think that the federation has confidence in an LGBTQ+ person to represent them, as we will be live for the first time on pay-per-view on Fite+, the largest independent wrestling platform in the world. »
Is this LGBTQ+ representation a sign that the wrestling community is open? Not exactly, according to the 34-year-old Quebecer.
“Big cities are welcoming. Recently, in the United States, a gala featured a girl telling a wrestler that he was definitely interested in her. He said no, and the crowd chanted “He is gay” in complete acceptance. It was beautiful to see. »
However, the situation is not rosy everywhere. “Last year, in Sherbrooke, some people went to see the promoters of a gala to ask them why they were inviting people like me, recalls Lessard. I also know that wrestler Maria Belmont had a hard time with the crowds on the South Shore of Montreal starting her gender transition, but people seem to have gotten used to it. »
PHOTO DENIS GERMAIN, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Wrestler Alex Maze and his students
Exceptions to qualify
One might think that professional wrestling is inclusive if one thinks of Quebec wrestler Pat Patterson, who made his coming out nearly 20 years ago. However, nuances are necessary. “It was a long time after his retirement, specifies Alexandre Lessard. His sexual orientation was known in the industry, but he came out publicly years after his career. »
And what about Darren Young, the first wrestler to speak publicly about his sexual orientation, while still in action? “He hasn’t been hired by WWE for years. He works a lot in the independent world under his real name, but it’s still difficult. »
WWE is very right wing about this.
Alexandre Lessard
Since wrestling promotes a form of violence, aggression and toxic masculinity, Lessard has long believed that LGBTQ+ people would not be welcomed there. “The first time I went to a show, as an employee, I wore a sweater that said, ‘Gay is not okay, it’s fabulous’ to see what people would say. In the end, no one had a negative reaction. »
Quite a relief for someone who fell in love with wrestling in 2002, while he was watching TV. “By dint of watching, we embark on the story and we want to know what will happen the following week between two characters. It’s a bit like The fires of love, but with people banging on it! »
Having always loved the arts and acrobatics, he saw wrestling as a skilful marriage between sport and spectacle. “Besides, it’s one of the last interactive shows! If the crowd is yelling at me to smack an opponent, I might slap them! »
PHOTO DENIS GERMAIN, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Wrestler Alex Maze
A feeling of marginality
His first training took place in 2019. His first fight, in the winter of 2020. For a year, he did not meet any other LGBTQ+ people in his new environment. “I wondered if I was alone in my situation. My first match against a queer person still took place in 2023! »
Despite the feeling of marginality, Alexandre Lessard never wanted to hide his sexual orientation. “The best way to act is to be fully who I am. We must not hide that, but open people’s eyes and show that everyone has their place. »
However, he regrets that some federations ask straight wrestlers to play homosexuals. Even though wrestling involves “characters” and wrestlers can be seen as “performers”, it’s all in the way.
“Last year, in a tag team match, my imposed partner wanted to perpetuate stereotypes like being ultra-flamboyant or slapping your ass. I had the impression that he wanted to make fun. When I asked him if he was gay, he said no, he had a wife and three children. »
The world of wrestling opens up. The Montreal gala on July 15 relies on several LGBTQ+ athletes. But Alexandre Lessard would like to go further and serve as a model. “It takes people like us to move the movement forward. »