Orlando Jordan is walking an unchartered path, a proud pioneer for the LGBT community with global impact.
Jordan, 35, is the first openly bisexual wrestler for a major U.S.-based professional wrestling promotion. He unveiled his in-ring bi persona March 29 on Spike TV for Total Nonstop Action ( TNA ) Wrestling.
"TNA iMPACT!" ( 7-9 p.m. CT ) features Jordan and such wrestling icons as Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Kurt Angle, Sting, Kevin Nash, Jeff Jarrett and others.
"There's a very small percent of people who empower society on a global basis—maybe 1 percent," Jordan, a former collegiate All-American wrestler who lives in Miami and has been wrestling professionally since 1999, told Windy City Times. "If everyone was a pioneer, it'd make things a lot easier. But that's not the case. And there's a price that comes with being a pioneer, but I would not expect anything less because that's who I am."
Jordan attended Hermitage High School in Richmond, Va., where he was a two-sport standout ( football and wrestling ) . He then went wrestled at Idaho's Boise State University.
"I'm proud of a lot of things in my life, including my sexuality," said Jordan, who battled autism as a child, was an amateur boxer and was a member of the U.S. Forest Service.
"My character in TNA is pretty eccentric. But, in pro wrestling, the first priority is to be on top of the sport. Behind the smoke and mirrors of the character's antics [ and ] his flamboyancy is a drive to be the best in the business. That's my goal."
Jordan knows the character likely will have critics—from fans and other wrestlers, but he's not worried. "I'll worry when they stop talking about me or the character," he said.
Jordan is proud and optimistic that his TNA character is a positive step forward for the LGBT community and beyond.
"I really hope this character helps troubled teens, be it [ those struggling ] because of their race or their sexuality," Jordan said. "If this character makes life even just a little bit easier for someone else, then I'll be really happy."
Jordan said he never had a formal 'coming out.' His close friends have always known he is bisexual, he said. And if anyone asked, he always answered honestly.
"I have always felt I am who I am, and have always stood by that. I don't ever worry what others think about me," he said.
Pro wrestling has a long history of stereotypical gay characters who are flamboyant and over-the-top, from Gorgeous George to the tag team of Lenny and Lodi in World Championship Wrestling ( WCW ) to Chuck and Billy in World Wrestling Entertainment ( WWE ) . All have been played by straight wrestlers.
"I'm flamboyant in my [ wrestling ] performance, but that's just my swagger, just how I am. I aim to entertain; that's who and how I am," Jordan said.
