‘It’s really heartening to see all the queer and trans youth ripping this days.’
Hillary Thompson
November 2024
In your Jenkem interview back in 2013, the introduction ended with the question ‘Is the skate community ready to openly embrace someone from the LGBT community?’. When you look back, was the community ready when you shared your story?
I think they always were. Skateboarders are often outsiders and tend to be open-minded and compassionate people.
How supportive was the skate community when you initially shared your story with your Jenkem interview?
I got a mixed reception. I was never counting on anyone to be supportive, but I was pleasantly surprised at times.
As the LGBTQIA+ seems to be more socially accepted, do you sometimes wish you were growing up as transgender and skater in this generation?
It’s not socially accepted. And no. I think I got in at a pretty good time. Growing up is hard anytime.
In many states, such as your state at birth North Carolina, you could not change your gender without having gender re-assignment surgery. Has this changed now?
Things have gotten much worse for trans people legally and politically here and around the world. There is so much anti-trans legislation being passed here it’s hard to keep up with. It’s now illegal for trans kids to participate in school sports. Access to hormones is being cut off for all ages. You say being trans is socially accepted but I think you have been deceived.
There seems to be a very fine line between being inclusive and fair around transgender in sports. What is your view on this?
I don’t think there is a fine line. I think that what you espouse here is right-wing agitative propaganda. There aren’t many trans women who skate in competitions. Of those that do, there are plenty of cis women who can (and do) absolutely crush them. And who do you think is really getting all the money? It’s not the trans women. To portray trans women as malevolent exploitationists is wrong, irresponsible, and directly harmful. Grow up.
Have you had any aspirations to turn pro or at least get sponsored?
Yes, when I was younger, I wanted to be a pro skater for sure. I used to send out sponsor me tapes to companies I liked. I never heard back, but it was fun making them!
‘I actually thought I would have to quit skateboarding which was a really crushing thought.’
Kingshit Magazine
2011
If you could pick a board company to turn pro, who would it be and why?
I wouldn’t want to be a pro skater now. I’d want to be a pro skater in the 90s when it was maybe a little easier, more profitable, and probably more fun than being a pro today. I’d be on something like old alien workshop, birdhouse, or girl/chocolate. To me it looked like those guys had a lot of fun.
I am sure there are many LGBTQIA+ skaters that you inspired. Is there anyone you look or looked up to within the skate community?
It was totally unheard of for someone to skate and be LGBT when I was growing up. I actually thought I would have to quit skateboarding which was a really crushing thought. It’s really heartening to see all the queer and trans youth ripping these days despite it still being incredibly difficult to exist as a trans person.
Last question. If you could interview one person, who would it be and why?
Probably someone nice with good stories like Karl Watson or Daewon Song. There are tons of skaters who I find to be pretty opaque and have questions for, but generally you can just DM them because they are just as neurotically on their phones as you or I.
