It’s an ordinary day at Cushing Skate Park. The unforgiving sun reflects off the cool gray concrete, casting a glow on the skaters below. The slap of a board hitting the ground, trucks grinding against a rail and the steady hum of wheels echo through the park.
Looking closer, something stands out: the overwhelming presence of men. Throughout history, skating has been seen as a male-dominated sport. The idea that, “skating is for boys” is something Mary Sullivan, founder of Girls Skate Denver, isn’t unfamiliar with.
Growing up, she always knew she belonged at the skatepark, but because of her gender, she felt she didn’t belong.
“I always noticed how [few] girls there were, and how much I just wanted to skate with girls,” Sullivan said.
Sullivan founded Girls Skate Denver in hopes of making the skatepark a safe place for everyone, no matter their skill level, age or gender.
She now hosts “Skate Meet-ups” once a month, along with teaching lessons to skaters that remind her of her younger self. The space she’s created allows for people to grow and try new things, no matter how intimidating.
“I think when you realize that you could fall down and keep getting up and trying again and again the rest of the world is not actually as scary,” Sullivan said.
For 10-year-old Kenzie Byrant, the group gives her the chance to learn new skills, both on and off the board.
“I learned how to grind a box and do bigger drop-ins and roll-ins,” Bryant said. “And definitely, probably be more confident skateboarding.”
Sullivan’s work not only has led countless girls like Kenzie to pick up skateboards of their own, but also has inspired groups, such as Queer Skate Denver to be created, further fostering a sense of community
Speckled throughout the skate scene is the idea of rugged individualism. When showing up to the park seems terrifying in itself, it’s nice to know two groups who care for you are there to back you up.
“There can be so much community support,” Mazzy Madeira, a participant in Queer Skate Denver, said. “The shared excitement when a friend lands a new trick it’s incredible, it can be just as rewarding as landing a new trick yourself.”
Queer Skate Denver gives Madeira a space where she can show others it’s ok to not conform to the traditional ways of skating.
“Being a visible trans person and showing up to the skatepark is so important because it shows people, especially younger generations, it shows skaters that we belong here, and we’re allowed to take up space here,” Madeira said.
For both groups, the continued battle for equality in the park isn’t over. They aim to continue expanding their communities, making the skatepark a safe place for everyone.
