Today we’d like to introduce you to Joshua Sutton.
Hi Joshua, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I began roller skating around the age of eight and by ten years old, I owned my first pair of roller skates. Occasionally skating as the rink’s mascot at birthday parties, I quickly realized how much I love to skate and that people enjoy watching me skate. I started going to public sessions at my local roller rink, and eventually it was my first gig job where I was paid five whole dollars and given a pizza to take home. All I had to do was pass out fliers at the end of the session as people left. This turned into my first paid job, and before I knew it, if I was not at school, I was at the roller rink working as an employee or working on my skills. Part of my job was being a skate guard or the skater with a whistle and ref shirt who makes sure skaters stay safe. In that role, I discovered that I love to teach, I could not resist talking to new/struggling skaters. I started to receive feedback that I taught in a different way for people that made sense to them. I later became the rink operator and played all of these roles.
All of this took place as I began to realize things about my identity. By the time I was a freshman in high school, it was the skating rink where I met my first crush, it was the skating rink where I fit in. It was at the skating rink that I realized I was gay! For me, skating and my gay identity have always gone hand-in-hand. All of those friends I skated with then all identify as queer in adult life. The roller rink was a place for us to be our authentic selves while being vulnerable on wheels as my peers and I continued to learn new things about skating and ourselves.
College was not so welcoming to skating, it seemed at least for me in the late 2000s, unless someone was living in a roller skate culture, skating seemed less popular at the age in my area. I let folks talk me out of going to the rink as I got older, shifted my attention to other college activities, and eventually found myself just not skating at much. I continued to put my skates on occasionally for special events and the rare outing.
I moved to Atlanta in 2018, skates in hand. With the pandemic in 2020, I was on the Atlanta Beltline when I saw a quad roller skater outside! While I knew I was living in one of the best regions for skate culture, it did not occur to me that I could be a part of it or that I could use my skates outside. My mind was blown. I immediately researched local skate shops, which led me to the Peach Skate group on Facebook, where I learned all about new-to-me info on outdoor roller skate meet-ups and culture that was budding.
Skating outdoors in this eager and fast-growing culture of returning and new skaters, paired with the exploration of COVID-friendly outdoor spaces, we found ourselves skating in changing variables, and I found myself once again teaching and coaching folks through those situations, even as I learned and refreshed my way of skating.
I began to develop many new friends with outdoor roller skating as the common interest, I created my @therollergay social media handles — and folks began to recognize me more and my ability to teach. I found myself calling out times to skate and places to meet, with the substantial turnout, where I naturally would hold space to teach and help beginners focus on building confidence and base skills.
Now I host and produce Rollerslay, an every Monday night queer and beginner-friendly outdoor skate meet-up at the Gateway on top of the new parking garage behind the zoo in Grant Park. This event draws 40+ queer and allied skaters who want to connect with other skaters and improve their skills. I love seeing the moment of happiness on skaters’ faces when I give them an important pointer or teach them a new move. Pure joy!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I believe growth can come at a cost, and sometimes that cost is confidence or comfort. When we are pushed outside of our comfort zones, we can grow. People have asked what being gay and roller-skating have to do with each other, and the only answer I have is – EVERYTHING. Skating has always been my place to catch my feelings, express myself and meet other folks like me or who just feel different.
Additionally, I grew up in a family with a special needs sibling, so much of our family’s efforts were focused on them. So, skating was my place to be free for a moment. Becoming a recognized outdoor roller skater because of my gay identity, because I bring joy, or because of how I teach is fulfilling to me.
I often feel like an imposter and the internet is a tricky place. Without social media, I’m simply a roller skater. Because I’ve chosen to share my journey and people have embraced me as an influencer, I question sometimes what I have to offer in a community of other talented skaters. Something I share with my students all the time is that you can learn the same thing from five different people, but it only takes one person to finally make sense to you. I remind myself this is the case for me as the teacher, I speak to beginners in a way that makes sense for most that I encounter. My skate flow is unique to me and that is enough for other skaters to want to know more.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
When I am not skating, I am a freelance graphic designer with a focus in entertainment and drag art, specializing is the design of promotional materials for LGBTQIA+ events. Skating in my adult life has become a creative outlet. Roller skating has led me to be an entertainer with the ability to perform for crowds of people, including film and media productions.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memory is roller skating, believe it or not! I loved to roller skate any chance I could get. It allowed me to feel independent, authentic, and creative.
Pricing:
- Personal roller skating lessons – $25/hr
Contact Info:
- Website: www.theroller.gay
- Instagram: @therollergay
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therollergay/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNMOpuSlu-DZx9yWVy7KhaA
