Impact Wrestling’s Gisele Shaw comes out as transgender

Gisele Shaw has come out as transgender. 

She opened up recently in interviews with the San Francisco Chronicle and Breakfast Television in Toronto. 

“There is really no perfect time to be coming out,” Shaw told The Chronicle. “It’s my journey. Now just felt right for me.”

“Today I’m fully living my life to the fullest, truly, authentic, freely and I am a transgender and I’m very proud,” she said on Breakfast Television.

Shaw is a seven-year pro and is currently performing in Impact Wrestling. She was trained by Lance Storm and has won titles for RevPro, Pro-Wrestling EVE, and Progress. 

“People are going to have opinions, but whatever they say, it doesn’t define who I am,” Shaw continued. “I know who I am and I am true to myself.”

She also spoke about the support she has received from her sisters.

“Coming from an Asian background, being the oldest, there was an unsaid rule, the expectation was that I would carry the family name, that I would set an example, that I would take care of my sisters. There was a lot of pressure from my parents to be great,” Shaw said. “My sisters were so important, asking ‘How can you feel like you have failed as a parent? Gisele gets to live her dream. If you want us to look up to someone, why not someone living their dream and being the best version of themselves?’ That was an eye-opener for my parents.”

Shaw will be speaking at the Trans Rally & March in Toronto on Friday and attending the Pride Parade on Saturday. 

Executive Vice President of Impact Wrestling Scott D’Amore also spoke to the Chronicle.  

“Gisele Shaw is a woman and a valued member of our roster,” D’Amore wrote, one whose role “will not be affected or in any way changed by her disclosing she’s transgender to the wider public.”

“I think our fans will surprise people who have a stereotypical image of what wrestling fans may be like,” D’Amore continued. “Transphobia is real. We can’t pretend otherwise. … We’ve taken steps to try to ensure Gisele’s social-media timeline doesn’t become a forum for hatefulness.”

The chronicle also spoke to current Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace. 

“I can have greats matches with Gisele and, yes, we have that mutual trust and respect. As her friend, I’m excited for Gisele to be able to inspire people with her story,” Grace said. 

Shaw is currently scheduled to face Rosemary on next week’s edition of Impact Wrestling.