Leo Baker (previously known as Lacey Baker) is featured in this new video from their sponsor, Nike, discussing why they created NYC Skate Project for women, queer, transgender, and gender-nonconforming people.

"A majority of the time, women and queer people don't feel safe in skate spaces," Leo explains. "So we created our own."

Leo has spoken out in the past about what it feels like to have to try and conform to what the skate industry and sponsors want you to be, as opposed to who you really are. They have taken a stand to show the skate community and beyond that, you do not have to have long hair, or look and act a certain way to be marketable.  Leo also states that;

 "There are a lot of people who are still pretty homophobic, sometimes it's just because they're ignorant. They don't know any better."

Leo's sponsor, Nike is helping them change this perspective. And that's pretty cool.



Editor's Note: ** We have to say we are pretty disheartened by reading all the negative comments on Nike's Youtube Channel about this video, but there are some really positive ones as well - which is good to see.  I guess that just proves the point that there is a definite need for educating people and creating safe spaces to skate where everyone is welcome.  

Thanks Nike and Leo!

We love this new video from creator, Amanda Mcdonnell, that tells it like it is when it comes to being a female, not just in skateboarding, but in a lot of areas where the sport, career, or path is typically thought of as being male-dominated.

This video is a short documentary and part of a web series for the “In The Know” (AOL/Verizon Media).

The series “Uncommon Ground” is about showing fringe communities and debunking misconceptions or just getting a glimpse into a world people may know nothing about.


Amanda explains why she felt it was important to do this project:


I finally committed to skateboarding at 29 years old and was so surprised at the lack of young girls doing it. I couldn't believe I was the only female at the park being that I was older and just starting out. It’s not always about being intimidated by “You can’t skate! You're a girl!” But the tougher battle for me came from my interior dialogue as a result of growing up in a world where women aren’t appreciated the same way men are.

"I was curious why there were so many more men doing it than women so I starting asking guys questions. I asked how they got started skating and saw the common thread was they had someone to skate with in the beginning. They had some sort of community or person go out and learn with. When I ask women how they got started, I kept hearing a story similar to my own. They wanted to skate in middle school but didn't have anyone to do it with. They tried again at another point but felt out of place."

I wanted to make a documentary that explores how gender plays a role in creating our different paths because of hidden battles. I think it's important to hear their skateboard journey to understand why there are less women skating (the gender gap). To take misconceptions like “Guys are more fearless and girls don’t want to get hurt,“ “Girls just aren't interested,” “She’s just doing it for attention,” “Men’s bodies are better equipped for skateboarding,” and show that they aren’t true. These innocent statements said by both men and women are actually undermining a whole generation of females from partaking in activities they want to do. I think the story in this documentary is not unique to skating but is common across the board where women lack in numbers like science, math, film director of photography, IT, CEO… the list is endless.

Through this webisode, I was hoping to reach a broad audience to touch on the ideas above. I felt it was important to hear Celina talking about skating at a young age despite the obstacles and then to hear Nancy, Brianna, Courtney, and Melanie’s stories sharing their thoughts and feelings that led them to start doing it later in life. For us, it took time to push through the noise and have the confidence to skateboard. Whatever notoriety may come our way for being a part of this video, we would trade it all in an instant to have been able to start this journey much younger, when all the boys started skating.

Photo John Barker

What are you doing this year? How about applying to teach skateboarding with SkatePal?

Join SkatePal and help empower young people in Palestine through skateboarding.

They’re looking for volunteers to help run classes between March and October 2020, with 1 or 2-month placements available.

For more information or to receive your application form please email:

volunteer@skatepal.co.uk



About SkatePal:

SkatePal is a non-profit organization that works with communities throughout Palestine to enhance the lives of young people and promote the benefits of skateboarding.

Since 2013, our ongoing presence and award-winning projects have reached hundreds of young people across the West Bank and won acclaim and recognition from supporters around the world.

We are run by a committed team of local and international volunteers who, through teaching skate classes, building skateparks and providing equipment, are enabling an ever-growing number of Palestinian skaters to empower themselves and inspire the next generation of Palestinian youth.