You CAN Skate With Us
Gender policy and skating with Pride
You may have wondered; “what sports are inclusive and a safe space for LGBTQIA+ people?”, maybe you’re looking for queer-friendly sports in your area? Well, you’ve come to the right place, as Roller Derby is a welcoming community where we celebrate everyone’s identity.
Vanessa joined us in 2025 and this is what she has written about her experience…
You know that feeling when you walk into an event full of people and you scan the room in a panic looking for your table? The relief you feel when you see the familiar faces of your group, waving you over and they’ve even kept you a seat?! That’s what it felt like walking into my first roller derby intake session.
The sense of belonging and ‘we’re so happy you are here’ is apparent from the get go and seems to be universal amongst Roller Derby teams. In their 2024 journal on Gender Inclusivity in Women’s Flat Track Roller Derby, Gemma Witcomb & co, mentions ‘Roller Derby provides an empowering and inclusive space for all women to explore identity through sport by offering opportunities for those of all shapes, ages and identities to engage’
When it comes to gender identity and sexuality - inclusivity has always been at the heart of Roller Derby, which makes it a safe space for all. Kate Sosin has a fabulous article on inclusion in Roller Derby (read that here) recognising ‘that derby has at least attempted something most sports have not: It has prioritized inclusion above its perceived legitimacy.’
That’s what we have all found here at Belfast Roller Derby; a seat at a table that was made for us, by people like us, where belonging is found rather than the feeling of changing to fit in, you come as you are and are celebrated for that.
‘Organised sports has always been a very scary thing for me. I think that all the people who dreaded going to P.E class in high school fit right into a derby crowd! It’s an incredibly welcoming environment.’
Finch, BRD Intake skater
Roller Derby is primarily loved by the LGBTQIA+ community, because Queerness is not hidden on track. An article in The Pink reads:
“Roller derby is a queer community because it’s a space that is not dictated by the male gaze,” (click on the quote for the full article)
It is unique in the sporting world as some may feel they often have to hide their identity or sexuality in order to participate, but Derby is bold, it’s fierce, it’s unapologetically Queer. It combines this with a sport that is full contact, requires dedication, athleticism, team work - two worlds that don’t often combine yet Roller Derby is the perfect mix of the two.
Not forgetting our fabulous allies, there is a space for all in Roller Derby.
Our very own Shin Pain feels;
‘Roller Derby is the first sport I encountered where everything has a strength, all body sizes, all genders, all levels of neuro-divergence. They all have a place and are celebrated. Couldn’t ask for a more comfy environment to play sport in as a non binary person and not feel on the back foot before you even play.’
🥰 That’s why at Belfast Roller Derby, we are always skating with pride!
Belfast Roller Derby adheres to the gender policy set by our governing body WFTDA.
You can read their statement on gender here
Our intake program is open to all, 18+. At the end of the intake programme, skater who identify as female, non-binary or any other marginalized gender (this includes individuals with gender identities belonging to the trans umbrella) can join the league as a skater; those of any gender can join that league as officials and progress towards obtaining referree certification. Non-skating officials and other volunteers are not required to complete our intake program - this community is made up of more than the people you see on skates, volunteering roles are open to all.
