Kiera Hogan is holding her official coming out party in Chicago, anchored around IMPACT Wrestling's premiere event of the year, Bound For Glory, set for Sunday night, Oct. 20, at the Odeum Expo Center in suburban Villa Park. She will be meet with Illinois State Rep. Greg Harris at his North Side office and numerous other LGBT-related events and appearances during her Chicago visit.
Hogan announced in July that she is dating fellow pro wrestler Diamante—and her coming out led to her multi-day Coming-Out Party that includes her dropping the Ceremonial First Puck at the Chicago Wolves hockey game on Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont when the successful minor league team presents its inaugural Pride Night game.
"I'm excited and nervous, but can't wait to share my story and meet so many people. I just hope I can inspire at least one person," said Hogan, 25, an Atlanta resident who has been wrestling professionally since 2015.
"I hope I can be an inspiration and encourage others to be true to themselves."
Hogan said that, since coming out, "It's been awesome. … Everyone has been very supportive and loving; I couldn't ask for better people in my life."
That starts with, and includes, the IMPACT Wrestling roster. Many fellow wrestlers have taken to social media to support Hogan and several will be attending her events around Chicago to support Hogan.
"My fellow Knockouts were very supportive and helped me with my ( coming-out ) post," she said. "They are all my sisters at the end of the day, my family supports me every step of the way.
"IMPACT Wrestling has given me a platform to express everything I've been through [and] they've been very supportive. IMPACT Wrestling is my family."
Here is the schedule for Kiera Hogan's Coming-Out Party in Chicago:
—Thursday, Oct. 17: Pizza Party To Benefit The Pinta Pride Project
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Lou Malnati's Pizzeria in Buffalo Grove
Details: This Pizza Party is hosted by The Pinta Pride Project, which runs Buffalo Grove Pride in suburban Chicago. Molly Pinta, 13, spearheaded the first-ever Buffalo Grove Pride Parade this past June. Kiera will speak to the attendees, sign autographs, pose for photos and more.
Ticket Info: Go to: www.squareup.com/store/pintapride
—Saturday, Oct. 19: Ceremonial Coin-Toss for flag football games from Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association ( CMSA )
Time: 11 a.m.
Location: Warren Park in Chicago, 6601 N. Western Ave.
Details: Kiera will talk with players before the games start, then perform the ceremonial coin-flip.
—Saturday, Oct. 19: Ceremonial puck drop before Chicago Wolves game against Rockford IceHogs for the team's Pride Night.
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Allstate Arena, in Rosemont
Details: The Wolves are holding their inaugural Pride Night, with a portion of select tickets sold to the game to benefit the Center of Halsted. Hogan will do the ceremonial puck drop, then participate in various Pride Night festivities.
—Saturday, Oct. 19: Co-hosting drag show at Scarlet Bar
Time: 9 p.m.
Location: Scarlet Bar, 3320 N. Halsted St.
Details: Every Saturday night, Scarlet Bar hosts PREGAME to kick off the night's festivities, with four local drag performers on stage. Hogan will join PREGAME host Aurora Gozmic with co-hosting duties.
—Sunday, Oct. 20: Speech and Q&A
Time: 11 a.m.
Location: Center on Halsted in Chicago, 3656 N. Halsted St.
Details: Hogan will speak at the Center on Halsted, including a Q&A session, autographs and photo opportunities.
Tickets: www.community.centeronhalsted.org/kierahogan
