Illustration for the Nike Be True 2021 Pride Campaign.
Over the last few years, queer and women led skate collectives (such as Unity Skateboarding, There, Queer Skate Alliance and Skate Kitchen) have exploded in popularity, occupying space for themselves in a historically exclusionary sport that centered and celebrated white, straight cis men. While skateboarding has always been “an activity for dissidents, non-conformists, and those who feel like they don’t belong in the confines of conventional society”, these skate groups promote a radical inclusivity that hasn’t always been present. They are working towards making skate parks safer and encouraging spaces for queer, trans and non binary folks, and they often form the base for community organizing and activism.