Amsterdam opens trailblazing skatepark: A safe haven for LGBTQ and women skaters

euronews (in English)

Despite its image as an alternative sport for baggy-pantsed rebels, in Amsterdam, a unique skatepark is one of the first in the world to offer a safe space for LGBTQ skateboarders.

Transcript

00:00 (upbeat music)

00:02 I think it's sometimes still a bit of an aggressive group

00:18 with a no pain, no gain mindset,

00:21 with a don't cry after you fall

00:24 'cause you'll be seen as a pussy or a bitch

00:27 and back in the day, 'cause I'm trans,

00:30 when I was still identifying as a girl,

00:32 I would even get standing ovations

00:34 because I could ride on a board

00:36 and I'd never felt taken seriously.

00:39 As a skater myself that has never felt

00:42 too into place in the skating scene,

00:44 I'm super happy that we have a place now

00:47 where I do feel seen, I feel understood

00:50 and I feel like I have the space to be myself

00:53 and to skate and to have fun with friends,

00:54 which is all we want.

00:56 (upbeat music)

00:58 Great for beginners, it's more accessible for me

01:09 because it's not so many people

01:11 and the people who are here, are friendly,

01:14 are understanding and are actually willing

01:17 to help me learn new things as well.

01:19 (upbeat music)

01:22 (upbeat music)

01:25 (whooshing)

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