Sapphic Skaters Take L.A.

Culture

Dec 19

Sapphic Skate was born out of necessity. Its founder, Jade De Oliveira, 24, recounts their experiences growing up in the male-dominated skate scene: “I didn’t feel safe at skateparks… [Men] would hog the park and purposely not let me skate.” Those early barriers, coupled with a personal need for community, led Jade to create Sapphic Skate in May 2025. Now, on any given Tuesday or Thursday, you’ll find a group of sapphic women and nonbinary folks dominating skateparks around Los Angeles.

As I sat with Jade on a park bench watching beginners attempt ollies and seasoned skaters toss themselves down steep ramps, Jade expressed how proud they felt seeing their friends land new tricks week after week.

One of these exemplary skaters is Emma Zocher, who described the group as “a beautiful community [built] through shared values of inclusion, friendship, and the desire to shred.”

Beyond the obvious shared interest in skating, the group also offers a supportive queer community, with members regularly hosting potlucks, birthday parties, and holiday celebrations.

It’s refreshing to see a group created by and for lesbians that’s not entirely centered on nightlife and dating. There is of course room for debauchery – I’ve seen the Sapphic Skate crew at Futch and Ur Mom’s Pool Party – but the skatepark remains the group’s home base.

This spirit of whimsy, friendship, and inclusivity is what Creative Director (and impressive rollerskater) Lydia Gingrich aimed to capture in this collaboration between Sapphic Skate and Echo Park’s Marriage Skateshop.

As a longtime Angeleno myself, I am touched by the images of queer women and nonbinary folks taking over the streets of LA, and in an era when community can feel scarce, it’s inspiring to see some of the coolest people you know building it for themselves.