Clearwater, FL -
Legendary professional wrestler Hulk Hogan says he's known Pat Patterson is gay since 1976.
The 73-year-old Patterson, who was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1996, discussed his sexuality publicly for the first time during the June season finale of the WWE produced reality show Legends' House.
In the episode, titled Farewell my Friends, an emotional Patterson revealed he was gay and had lived for 40 years with a partner who died of a heart attack.
"I knew Pat was gay back in 1976, when he helped me start wrestling," Hogan, 61, told The Huffington Post. "Whenever I see Pat, I give him a big hug and kiss. He's my guy!"
"Back when Pat was wrestling, he was afraid to be who he really is – or was meant to be – because of all this stuff he inherited from society. 'You're supposed to be this tough wrestler. You're supposed to be this good-looking, platinum blonde champion who goes out and dates the best looking women. You're supposed to be this. You're supposed to be that.'"
"But that's not true! Pat Patterson is supposed to be who he's meant to be, not who people think he should be, if that makes any sense," Hogan said.
The 73-year-old Patterson, who was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1996, discussed his sexuality publicly for the first time during the June season finale of the WWE produced reality show Legends' House.
In the episode, titled Farewell my Friends, an emotional Patterson revealed he was gay and had lived for 40 years with a partner who died of a heart attack.
"I knew Pat was gay back in 1976, when he helped me start wrestling," Hogan, 61, told The Huffington Post. "Whenever I see Pat, I give him a big hug and kiss. He's my guy!"
"Back when Pat was wrestling, he was afraid to be who he really is – or was meant to be – because of all this stuff he inherited from society. 'You're supposed to be this tough wrestler. You're supposed to be this good-looking, platinum blonde champion who goes out and dates the best looking women. You're supposed to be this. You're supposed to be that.'"
"But that's not true! Pat Patterson is supposed to be who he's meant to be, not who people think he should be, if that makes any sense," Hogan said.
Article provided in partnership with On Top Magazine
