Impact's Gisele Shaw On Her Journey & Support She's Gotten A Year After Coming Out
Impact Wrestling star Gisele Shaw was recently interviewed by Denise Salcedo, where she spoke about how it's almost the first anniversary since she came out as transgender. Shaw came out on June 24, 2022, when she was a guest on the Canadian morning show, "Breakfast Television."
"So much has happened, but I feel like over the year, you know that passed by, I have had time to really, you know, accept myself and be my true authentic self," Shaw said. "Just live as happy, you know, happily as I can be. I've grown, you know, not only personally but also professionally. It's been amazing, it's just been such — it's like a new chapter in my life that I, like, I don't know what was going to happen and I'm just here for the ride and I'm just happy that I took that leap and here we are."
Shaw said her announcement was difficult for her parents, but they later supported her as have her sisters, who she says have from the start of her journey. Shaw had a lot of praise for Impact Wrestling for being a supportive company. She signed with Impact in February 2022 and is currently feuding with Trinity. The two had a match last month at Under Siege. Before that, Shaw was in a feud with former Knockouts Champion Mickie James.
"At work, I mean everyone from management, front office, talent – like, you name it, everyone just super, excuse me — super supportive," she said.
Impact Has Always Been Supportive
"I'm just fortunate, you know to have that, because, like, I don't want to go to be going to work and be like, 'Oh my God, here I go again I have to go to work and experience like bigotry and discrimination, and all that stuff, you know from people,'" Shaw recalled. "Like your workplace is kind of like your second family and for them to be, like, 'Oh my gosh we're so happy for you and we just love you.' Just to be accepted, it's been really great."
Shaw spoke more about her parents, how she comes from an Asian culture, and there was the pressure of being the first-born child. There were high expectations for her to be a "doctor, lawyer, and the typical jobs everyone wants for their child," but her parents later realized that they put expectations on her that she never asked for.
If you use any quotes from this article, please credit the Denise Salcedo YouTube channel with a H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.