A little slideshow covering how to be an ally in the skatepark, and how to make skateboarding more welcoming to lgbtqi+ and women skaters. Based on one of our favourite articles in Skateism magazine, written by @trbmker_.
Sidenote: We've been made aware that the fifth slide sends the wrong message. We did not focus on the importance of asking and using the correct pronouns. We should have. To clarify: if you're unsure of them, do ask and use the correct pronouns once you've been told them.
Text version of slides can be found under the slideshow.
Slide 1: How to be an Ally
Slide 2: Literally invite people in!
Most women and visibly queer people don’t exactly feel like they can just plop down at the meet up spot and begin to participate in skate culture. It’s worth making a special effort to accelerate the process: Say Hi!
Slide 3: Make space! (1/2)
How do any of us know, at a crowded skatepark, when it’s our turn to go? We don’t, really. It’s barely organized chaos, governed by a bunch of unwritten rules. Those of us who can read those unwritten rules, can also recognize when someone is struggling with them.
Slide 4: Make space! (2/2)
Instead of exploiting their uncertainty to take another try, which is what usually happens: Try telling them it’s their turn. -> “All you” is easy to say when someone is looking hesitant to go!
Slide 5: Do your best with the pronouns!
You don’t need to ask every single person what their prefered pronoun is, but if and when you’re made aware of it, try to stick to it. Making that minuscule effort is a concrete way of demonstrating their identity is valid.
* see above sidenote on pronouns
Slide 6: Don’t be shitty, even when no one is watching!
Even if the woman whose bust you’ve been commenting on never hears those comments, you’re reinforcing that it’s okay to view women as mere sexual objects. You’re therefore strengthening the unspoken social agreements that allow actual discrimination to happen.
Slide 7: Don’t stare! (1/2)
Humans are really good at tracking the gaze of other humans, it’s how babies learn how to talk and shit. So, we all know when we’re being stared at. We all look at each other when we skate, but I think we all know what kind of looks women and LGBTQI+ skaters are experiencing.
Slide 8: Don’t stare (2/2)
Staring, pointing, murmuring and all that. For women, add ogling to that list. Don’t do it (and tell your bro’s it’s not cool to do it)! If “we are all just skaters” there is nothing to stare at, right?
Slide 9: Stick up for women and lgbtqi+ skaters!
Because patriarchy has established itself as the norm, people who protest against it are often written off as delusional. On the other side of that coin, people who do horrible things to women and lgbtqi+ often get a free pass. If you have the social capital to side with women and lgbtqi+ people, even when it’s just on instagram, do what you can! <3
Slide 10: Source
Full article was written by Tobias Coughlin - Bogue on www.skateism.com/2019-smashing-patriarchy/