Gisele Shaw Doesn’t Want To Be ‘Poster Child’ For Transgender Representation

IMPACT

Gisele Shaw says she may be an advocate but she isn’t an activist nor does she want to be the ‘poster child’ for transgender representation.

In a new interview with Denise Salcedo for Instinct Culture, Gisele Shaw reflected on the decision to come out as transgender and then how to make that shift professionally.

Saying of approaching IMPACT about the idea, Shaw said:

“So that’s when I went to IMPACT Wrestling and I said, ‘Hey, if you’re able to help me with this, that would be fantastic.’ I just want to live my life effectively, I think that’s the most important thing. we only get one shot in this life and I don’t really want to be, you know, I don’t want to be pretending to be someone else.

“I want to just be me and, and also as a performer, that really affected me as well because I would go out in the ring and I would not be able to perform 100% because I’m always thinking, ‘Okay, are the fans talking about me? Can they tell?’ Like, what are they saying about me, you know? Even with my personal life as well, like, I would go out, you know, to a restaurant, or wherever. I’m constantly thinking, it’s like, you’re always on the edge, and I can’t really just fully be myself and just relax.

“You know, we’re always thinking, ‘What are people thinking?’ So, yeah, and I just thought I want to be able to use this platform that I have, IMPACT Wrestling, for good and I would love to be able to inspire and educate and raise awareness, especially for the next generation. I just hope that I can do that, and do them justice.”

Gisele went on to discuss her feelings about being a beacon of inspiration, education and awareness rather than an ‘activist’ or ‘poster child’ for transgender issues.

Shaw said of the responsibility of her platform as well as how she plans to use it:

“It’s such a huge responsibility. I really also want to say and remind people that we are representing that community. What we can do is, hopefully, inspire people with the platforms that we have, educate people, and raise awareness, because I am not an activist, but I am an advocate, and sometimes people do, they think that ‘Oh, my God, you’re the poster child!’ No, I don’t want to be a poster child. I’m here to educate and raise awareness, and inspire.”

Gisele Shaw featured on tonight’s (August 18) edition of IMPACT wrestling’s pre-show where she took on Rosemary and won.

Transcription via Fightful

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• gisele shaw
• Denise Salcedo
• LGBTQA+
• IMPACT

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