Skate icon Brian Anderson just came out as gay. Why not try it yourself?
Big news dropped in the skateboard world recently. Brian Anderson, former Thrasher SOTY, longtime Girl team rider, all around legend, loves kissing dudes.
No big deal. Skate is slightly more open minded than surf. And Anderson’s been entrenched in the industry long enough that pulling the curtain from a long time open secret ain’t gonna have much effect on his earning potential. It’s not the 90’s anymore, can’t drop a dude for digging dicks.
I’m slightly annoyed that everyone is calling him the first openly gay pro skater. He is not. Jarret Berry was loud and proud back when you could still call ’em faggots and without anyone blinking an eye. I adore Jarret, have long felt he got hosed for refusing to hide who he is.
Not that the two are really connected. It’s great that Anderson can come out of the closet. Doesn’t really have anything to do with Jarret’s trials within the industry. Jarret was rocking his mo’ status decades ago. Anderson’s actions speak to an entirely different generation. A generation that is confusing and terrifying to me, but is also much more open minded than I was at a young age.
It does beg the question, who’s gay in surf? More than a few open women. Keala Kennelly, for one. Matt Branson doesn’t really count. He kept his proclivities under wraps until his career was over. Craig Butler’s sexuality is no secret, but he’s a longboarder and they’re a fringe element to begin with.
Thirty four guys on the WCT. I don’t know how many on the WQS. Some of them must love men. Just based on odds.
Not to mention the fact that, when you stick a bunch of young men in close proximity for long periods of time, some of them are gonna give it a shot. Though I suppose that’s not actually gay. Just experimenting.
But some of them are gonna go, “Ah, yes! That’s what I’ve been missing!”
I don’t think it’s fair to say that anyone has an obligation to serve as a figurehead for those who share their sexuality. But surf could use some gay. Our “sport” tends to All-Lives-Matter levels of uniformity. Which is bland, all too often hateful.
Variety is the spice of life. We’re a big ol’ pile of skinless boiled chicken breasts.
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I tried to come out, but I was wearing Dockers and they wouldn’t let me.
nice to see the skateboarders paving the way for the “free divers”……i guess it all makes sense Rory….as a freediver…you love to go down….
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John John would be even radder if he was into chaps.
It’s a shame it even has to be news when someone declares their sexuality to the world.
Rory just wondering on choice of picture??? thoughts or pure coincidence
I was just about to congratulate Rory on his artistic vision.
its tough being a gay surf figurehead, but i’ll do it! hang on, i’m a kook. no figureheading from me!
viva la that John John John John John John guy.
First time back on the site in at least six months. It was getting a little too Youtube comment section ish for me. But this reminds me that I actually enjoyed the writing before I became enamored with and then disappointed by the comments section. You’re the f#@king man, Rory. Even if I don’t comment, I’ll probably be reading.
well that is a huge relief
I wonder who is the current most famous LGBT? Ellen? Elton John? Lance Bass? Ricky Martin?
More likely Gianni Versace, Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, etc. Every one of those fuckers move way more money, hearts, and minds than any singer or actor could ever do singlehandedly.
This eurovision powerhouse would be up there right?
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Geez, Alejo Muniz really needs a haircut these days.
Good point about Jarret (I had his Big Brother cover issue), but, let’s be honest he was no Brian Anderson. BA would be like someone of Taj’s stature coming out.
You’re obviously a closet gay, Rory. When are YOU going to “come out”?
The Definitive Online Surfing Community With A Sense of Humor® here at BeachGrit has done a pretty good job of not using sexuality as an insult. Let’s try to keep it that way.
[Negs is jumping me into Mod status]
How am I being insulting?
I noticed that the site has like 30 Mods now…
I think Longtom got it in exchange for the Oxy hookup and I’m pretty sure I’m just there as a human spell-check.
If we divided the number of individual commenters amongst you three, you’d each get 10.
I’m just another lazy surfer trying to offload work/responsibilities…
More like eight, ten if we count the odd Stab passerby.
who the fuck made me mod?
I can’t even moderate the thin stream of dribble out of my own mind let alone anyone elses.
I’m one bad day, drunken posting session, tourette rant away from being permanently banned.
my sympathies are always with the people, not cops.
Check your emails Constable Longtom.
nothing there.
Mmmm? I sent it to the one you log in with here… thefreeridevoice@…
nah, Dell has one for me that works.
Before you put a message in a bottle across the Tasman to Negs, then, reconsider: the best cops are crooked cops.
Well said. This is why i like this site & hate sites like Stab now. There is actually an intelligent sense of humour here in the comments section.
Fuck off.
So angry for a Canadian. Is it already raining on Vancouver Island?
It’s been nice lately. I work up here most the year, your little moderator panel is making you so fucking hard with self importance already hey?
Alex Haro, is that you?
Closet? I don’t think he has one. Rory’s laundry, dirty or clean is always hanging on the clothesline for all of us to see here…
where does he keep his extensive shoe collection then, huh!?
I own a single pair of shoes. They’re currently buried beneath a pile of spearfishing gear.
Living the dream Rory
what! no jimmy choos! get ye some. your lady will adore you in them.
You own one pair of shoes? Sure thing, duke.
Every time I read one of your #humblebrags, my skin starts crawling with douche bumps……nice work!
One pair gray half cabs.
One pair Cobian sandals. (very comfy, by the way. My new brand since Rainbow went to China.)
Suck a dick, shoeboy!
I liked you so much more before I knew that you wore Cobian’s. Cobian is the inertia of sandal brands and they both share the exact same demographic.
They’re comfy and durable. Got a better brand?
If you’re over Rainbows for the China thing, which I applaud, then no. Not really. Just criticism!
i think you’re confusing Rory with Chas there..
nah. i know the legs i want to see in jimmy choos. chas hasn’t enough meat on those bones.