Through Lands and Slams

THE FEMME AND QUEER SKATE COMMUNITY OF MADISON Written by Tessa Devine, Lifestyle Staff Writer Photographed by Hunter Kiehl, Staff Photographer Modeled by Timothea Stinnet, Winnie Bishop and Brenna Paul

“O ne of my favorite things about skating is that it feels like rebellion, it feels like breaking norms,” said 20-year-old skateboarder Nina Cicero-Soles. “I get to do something that girls aren’t typically encouraged to do and I feel badass doing it.”

Nina is one of many skaters that gather on Wednesday evenings at Goodman Skatepark. Originally started in 2014 as Lady Skate Night, this weekly informal event has evolved into what is now known as Femme and Queer Skate Night.

“A bunch of Madison femme presenting and/or queer skaters get together to skate in a non-judgmental environment,” explained 18-year-old attendee Winnie Bishop.

Skating is for everyone, but that doesn’t change the fact that skateboarding has traditionally been a male-dominated sport—or that the skatepark can be an intense environment to learn in. Skaters fly down ramps and ride through obstacles; wheels slam loudly against the concrete and the pop of board tails echo through the park; and exclamations of joy, frustration and encouragement all blend into a rowdy ambiance. To a beginner, the park may look and feel chaotic. There is a unique and beautiful flow to every park—but it takes some getting used to. Femme and Queer Skate Night is the perfect place to learn.

Through all the lands and slams, participants are encouraged to express themselves on skate night, whether it’s through skating, falling or even just connecting with new people. These skate nights aren’t official, organized events, but rather, an organic experience. The number of people that attend can look different week to week, but one thing always remains the same: inclusive skating. Through all the lands and slams, participants are encouraged to express themselves on skate night, whether it’s through skating, falling or even just connecting with new people.

Representation in any environment is important, and it is exceptionally beneficial to learn something new among people who you relate to and who inspire you—skating is no exception.

“Having queer and female representation is incredibly important,” said local Madison skater, Leon C. “If you nev-

er see someone like you doing something, it doesn’t seem possible. But once you see it, you can be inspired.”

Winnie echos this idea by recalling what it was like when she first started skating.

“Learning was intimidating at first, especially since skateboarding is so male-dominated, but having other girls and gays to skate with helped me stick with it.”

Getting to the park may seem like the hardest part of your skate journey. In reality, continuing to skate and getting back up when you fall down is the real challenge. This is why it’s vital to have a dependable community to help you back up when you (inevitably) eat shit.

Everyone should be given the opportunity to shred, no matter what you look like or how you identify. The local skating community is one that has made great strides over the years, and today, you can always expect to find great femme and queer skaters at the park on skate night.

“Skateboarding as a femme or a queer person, or entering any community as an outsider, starts with you,” says Cicero-Soles. “It starts with you being confident, being who you are and knowing you don’t need to be incredible to be able to show up there.”

Feeling ready to shred? Grab a board and stop by Goodman Skatepark from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday nights or follow its Instagram @femmeandqueerskaenight. And if you’re still feeling hesitant to jump in, just remember that skateboarding should be about you and your progress first and foremost, not about anyone else.

Interviewees: Nina Cicero-Soles Leon C. Winnie Bishop ■