Women / Queer / Trans Skate Nights
- Sarah Kelly
- 12 minutes ago
- 2 min read
One of our favourite community programs is back!
The History:
This program began to take shape under the title "Skate Plant" in 2017 at our former indoor skatepark. Back then, it was intended to increase the participation of girls and women at the indoor skatepark. It worked! We welcomed roller skaters aboard, and it was a truly special time. Before 2016, girls were very few and far between in the community. Then we started seeing attendance of up to 20 per session!
"Girls, Gays, and Theys":
After the indoor closed, we moved outside! At the same time, we saw another need in the community. It wasn't only girls and women that could benefit from a welcoming space and connection point, we thought, there must also be gender-diverse and 2SLGBTQIA skaters that could benefit from a program like this!
And there was.
At least half a dozen nonbinary, 2 Spirit, and other queer identifying people came out of the woodworks. Some of them already skated, but most of them came to learn for the first time.
"Women & Queer Skate Meetups"
In 2023, we needed a name change again. A trans man skater friend reached out and said "can I come even though I'm not a girl, gay, or they?". "Duh!", I thought, "this is exactly who we wanted to feel welcome"!
After consulting with some trans skaters, we decided "queer" would feel encompassing for most.
To lay this out as simply as possible: these meetups are for anyone who identifies as female, nonbinary, trans, gay, or sexually or gender-diverse in any way.
The Details:
These skate nights are FREE, beginner-friendly, and equipment is available to borrow!
These nights are open to all ages, but just so you know, it is most frequently an 18+ crowd. These are not formal skateboard lessons, but everyone is happy to share tips and help brand-new beginners get steady and started.
We run from 6;30 until dark every Thursday in the summer.
Wondering if it's us? We usually sit in the grass as a small group with skate gear strewn about, or are out on the concrete. Sometimes there are only 1-3 of us, sometimes 10 or more! If you're unsure, just ask! Look for a Right to Skate t-shirt, sign, bag, board, or send us a DM on Instagram.
THE SCHEDULE:
