WWE wrestler Rhea Ripley apologizes for calling fan a ‘f*ggot’

A wrestler with the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) has apologized after she called a fan a ‘f*ggot’.

During a live stream event, Australian wrestler Rhea Ripley offered to insult fans for $15 (€13.44). She later posted a clip of one of these insults, in which she called a fan a ‘motherf*cking f*ggot’.

Ripley, 22, apologized on Wednesday (24 April) after many people criticized her for using the anti-LGBTI slur.

She started out her apology on Twitter with her real name, Demi Bennett.

Ripley’s apology | Photo: Twitter @RheaRipley_WWE

‘I know a lot of you are upset with me after tonight,’ she wrote. ‘But I just wanted to publicly say that I am sorry.

‘My brain to mouth filter came down for a second and I forgot that some words are a big no no to a lot of people.

‘I am a firm believer that everyone should be treated equally, whether that be race or sexual orientation. With that said, I just wanted to say how dearly sorry I am to everyone that was offended by my choice of words tonight.’

She accompanied her apology statement with heart emojis made out in rainbow colors.

Responses to her apology varied. Some said she had no reason to apologize, while others commended her for apologizing and accepting accountability for her words.

While some wrestlers have similarly accused of homophobia and discrimination, several others have come out with explicitly pro-LGBTI stances. Ex-WWE star Dave Bautista said homophobes ‘can suck my balls’, while Kenny Omega welcomed LGBTI fans to wrestling shows with open arms.

See also

8 LGBTI wrestlers smashing stereotypes and changing the wrestling game

Sonya Deville on why she ‘loves’ being the first openly lesbian in WWE

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