Skateboarding Legend Brian Anderson on Coming Out as Gay | The New Yorker

[@IDiggPattyMayonnaise]

Kinda sucks that the world just sees him now as "that gay skateboarder." He is a legitimate legend in skateboarding, but hopefully it helps more kids.

[@marquamfurniture]

@Skate Eloominarty -- And you are here, because........?

[@skaterhugs1147]

Who cares what the world sees him as? Skateboarders know BA for what he is at the end of the day - a fuckin shreddddder

[@neverwoner]

I still see him as Brian Anderson this dude fucking rips!

[@CynicalMartian]

Who cares what the world thinks? They don't know shit about skateboarding. The only pros people who don't skate could name are Tony Hawk and Ryan Sheckler. BA has been a skate legend for too long to be "that gay skateboarder"

[@DoggoWillink]

IDiggPattyMayonnaise I don't see him like that, I don't think any skater does. I see a prison escapee front blunting Hubba hideout.

[@Maligremlin69]

he is gay so what? He will always be a legend. Im glad he came out. One of my fav skaters

[@highwayexit]

The 'So what?' stance is sort of obvious but it's not helpful. When you say "so what?" you take away the importance of the message which is needed by all the gay skaters out there who would find great empowerment from BA coming out.'

[@tearsofsoy4091]

he's gay, who cares. I'm straight, who cares. Just skate.

[@lurkkker]

Outback so what? You can say it doesn't bother you but to pretend it's not a big thing for what he's doing for other gay people especially for skaters in specific kinda says you've never been through that or haven't met anyone who's been through it. It's a whole different story when you're actually in his shoes

[@AppLe-hs8jk]

+Cheesus Saves exactly

[@Maligremlin69]

that so what, I meant that that doesent need to be a big deal, but it is. I know its hard to come out, and all that stuff, I have a gay friend who came out, and we all accepted it. And you can see skate comunity is different, more acceptable I would say... So yes I didnt mean anything wrong with it. Like I said im glad he did it.

[@yuyero123]

Yo his husband look like the chillest mf ever Bet he makes a sick lasagna bro

[@Nightimefavorites]

His husband seems like a cool guy, Brian Anderson has such a cool story. It's bittersweet but I hope it inspires people and gives strength and validity to others. Hope I run into him one day.

[@kanescrimes4848]

LOL, His husband actually looks like Bluto from Popeye. I know he said his first crush as a kid was Bluto, but I didn't expect him to land his dream man as an adult. Good job Brian, and thanks for showing the kids what actual courage looks like. You're an inspiration to anyone facing any obstacle in life.

[@FrownyMascot]

i see him no differently than i have before, such a great skater!

[@TheGisert]

still? wtf are you even saying?!

[@LG-gd7lo]

@@TheGiserthaha u made him edit it

[@jaspermireal7648]

No wonder his fashion and style was so always on point.

[@b3naqua]

He has good taste in men 🌈

[@AllenTax]

A big hairy furry handsome smile care bear!

[@CynicalMartian]

I'm not even gay but BA is daddy

[@xl7131]

As a straight guy, I've often had to be at the brink of crying to so many to these types of stories growing up and being a man now. I love all men for their spirits regardless of their sexual orientation. I've felt so much unease knowing current society is so behind with Gender and Sexualities -- it's like living to watch Slavery or Racial-Segregation in America and be like "this ain't right -- but so many people are so dumb to greater consciousness of our collective lived experiences; and I am only living within one moment of history..hoping that I know this will change with time, in how I live and connect to others.. and that with or without me, I already see the positive change with younger generations after me.."

[@Fellowfuturefossil]

I listen to Interpol cause of Brian. Dude shreds. Mad love man!

[@MrAllstar]

Good on Brian, taking the fight forward, suppose it was a step he had to eventually make but never easy to make either way. Nice to hear the story of his brother being cool with it and having the wisdom to understand. Discrimination is part and parcel of the human experience, if they ain't hating you for being gay they'll throw rocks at you for being from the wrong side of town, no matter what you just have to stand your ground for who you are and what you represent..

[@bradleywood413]

Dearest Brian How are you doing man? Congratulations on your marriage to Andrew , Your story has touched my heart ! I'm so proud of you dude ! You bring tears to my eyes ! I'm beaming with such pride for you man ! 🍍💛🧡💜❤💚💙Peace , Love , Joy ,and Happiness Brian

[@misfitramone]

B.A. i love you like a brother! What you did was insanely courageous and I'm so stoked to see you found a partner in life! That's what we all hope for, someone to love us and to love them back! I started skateboarding in 1993 and saw so much homophobia in the industry and because of that i said things i wish i could take back! I'm a straight man but listening to punk and being a skateboarder opened my mind that had been closed due to a religious upbringing. I love skateboarding and miss it on a daily basis, due to injuries and the lack of proper insurance i can't skate right now but when i get my knee surgery I'll be back at it. i miss being in the brotherhood of skateboarding and I'm really glad that Brian has been as excepted as he is. It really goes to show what a crazy counterculture skateboarding is and i hope Brian's bravery brings more comfort to kids wrestling with sexuality and helps people realize that what we do behind closed doors doesn't matter. We all love skateboarding and that's what really matters!

[@EdPoster]

legend on and off the board!!

[@cortneyholt]

Brian will always be one of my favorite pros and people in general. Ive had really close friends throughout my entire life who told me they were gay, and it never changed our friendship. Friends don't care about that! Friends love each other no matter what your personal preference is.

[@fruitcake84]

Let this be a lesson to everyone who think that their sexual orientation defines them as person. Brian is considered a legend because of things he brought to the world and that is all that matters to us. Wish you all the best, man.

[@JohnSmith-oo4qx]

B A is an OG from way back . He deserves respect for what he has done on a board no matter how you feel about what he does off of it. This is a man who has worked hard shitty kitchen jobs and random construction jobs to get by. Not like today where ams are put in the van at 11 , sent on trips and raised by a skate team . Yeah it's fun but the kid learns nothing about the real world . B A appreciates everything he's accomplished and how far he has come . You can tell by the way he acts and talks in every interview you watch with him in it . Not to mention he got SOTY way before all this coming out nonsense . Even though the people who were closest to him knew he was gay and could care less . Still gave him SOTY , because his skateboarding speaks for itself ! That tre flip then an immediate swerve , every time .

[@orgullotico2010]

I was also a sk8boarder for like 12 years in Costa Rica. This was like the best news I've ever heard in years. I came out to my sk8boarder friends back then, and they deal with it pretty well. They became more than friends to me, we're like brothers, well over 20 years now...

[@supernewuser]

I'm so happy for him. He's always been one of my favorites and I'm glad that he can finally be who he wants to be without filters. I'm not gay but I'm glad the gay community has somebody like him to look up to. I've always looked up to him for his raw power and how humble he is, but he belongs to more than just skateboarding.

[@petepete8862]

I've know he was gay since the good and evil premiere in CA and at first I was shocked but then I was like wow this pretty cool!I love BA

[@mouija1450]

When I first saw Welcome To Hell and saw BA's part, I knew this guy was rad to the core and would be around for a while. That cab kickflip was legendary, especially at the end of a line with beat up shoes. I wanna say it's the first one I ever saw. Why does it even matter that he likes dudes instead of chicks? BA is one of the best ever to do maneuvers on a skateboard. He can skate anything.

[@pabloisusi6097]

He seems to be a beautiful human being with a great taste on music as I see. Some Bowie and Morrissey pictures were there in the video.

[@endlessweekend5041]

Nothing but respect and love from the skate community

[@DoggoWillink]

He is one guy I'll always remember from my childhood growing up and watching skate videos, particularly the Toy Machine ones which my brother was into when I first got into skating. Jump Off a Building, Welcome to Hell, etc. Brian Anderson is definitely a staple in skating history, especially for those of us who saw it. Nobody forgets the front blunt down Hubba, nobody.

[@Man_Lantern_Skateboards]

wasn't the Tom of Finland tattoo kind of a giveaway

[@mattbutler1283]

im straight and i still find inspiration from BA the legend . just be yourself

[@BE-lz6kg]

Touching story, good for Brian! His brothers advice is the best advice to any person regardless of sexual attraction. Being in a safe, loving relationship is what becomes most important. It starts with loving your own being.

[@PetertheJones]

beautiful , absolutely beautiful

[@easyrocksoeasy]

Prince and Morrissey's board on the wall is hilarious...@1:10

[@lookmomonlycomputer]

He is the definition of style. Nothing compares to B.A. True living legend.

[@poopmatt]

It's weird. People have known he was gay for years. I remember being 16(ten years ago) and hearing about him being gay. Nobody cared then, now all of a sudden it's a "big deal".

[@AllenTax]

Have to realize that media then & now still can be wimpy or is a touchy subject Aside the fact that if it isn't big headline news, it gets pushed to the side. Yeah I knew long ago. 10 years ago. As acceptance is a bit better and more rights to LGBT, news will show it. News doesn't often show things that wont end up make them movey views.

[@poopmatt]

I mean obviously I know why the media is pushing this shit. I just find it odd.

[@tearsofsoy4091]

because now coming out as gay or trans/trendgender is 'cool' and trendy. Really who gives a flying fuck.

[@DaveyGa]

I can see that line of thinking of "who cares?!" but considering how much gay hate is still around, let alone 20 yrs ago, it would be a big deal, prob more so in the macho sk8 world too.

[@poopmatt]

There was literally a transgender skateboarder that came out many years ago and they got nothing but love. The skateboarding world is not "macho" at all. Out of all the communities out there, I've yet to see one as accepting as this one. As I said, everyone knew he was gay years and years ago, and the general consensus was, "we don't give a fuck, you're still an awesome human and you shred on a skateboard".

[@kerocali5337]

I skated half my childhood and all my adult life and have watched BA skate since his first video part. When all this came up my reaction was who's fucking business is it who he fucks. Now I think I understand why he made such a statement of it. For the young kid afraid to be himself. For that I say cheers to BA, but I can't wait for the day when this type of shit isn't even an issue.

[@GrandDukeMushroom]

sup bud nobody minds go skate yeet

[@ronthunders6124]

I’m glad BA finally got himself his bluto hahah

[@Rayman_99]

this inspires me a lot and helps me to keep pushing. im really happy for him!

[@slurmz123]

that knockout was brutal as f. Brian is a dope skater. fuck narrow minded thinking be happy and congrats on the marriage.

[@manuellicona4727]

Cualquier forma de amar Es muy hermoso Claro que usted es un legendario del skateboard Saludos desde México

[@NothingMatterz]

I suck at skateboarding but I've taken may of slams into the ground and tasted the cement, literally tasted the cement on many occasions. It's not something you can 'get used to.' Anyone who is willing to get up and do it again and again unsure of when it will happen again, unsure of the degree of potential severity, has my respect.

[@nicolealexis8527]

Good on him for being open and living his truth!

[@prodandmullen]

anyone else notice in pretty sweet after he did some blunt trick I think he high fives a guy wearing a shirt that said gay in all caps on it

[@cshiels14]

I'd be lying if I said I'm a huge skateboarding fan or gay , but I've been aware of Brian for maybe a year or two and he's simply an amazing person

[@moodsik]

such a hero! what he's done is monumental. thanks BA!

[@joecastlebaker]

Why the sad music at the end? lol

[@WillieD7]

The sad music is because Nike stopped making the Project BA.

[@emcee1337]

bcs he had to hide most of his life and he was struggling under the pressure of a hardcore homophobic american society.

[@gorryman]

yeah cause only America is homophobic LULZ

[@chronicconja420]

??? doesn't lessen someones hurt or reality gtfo

[@KENKANIFF666]

i still need to get a BA anti hero board to hang up, i was so stoked when i heard he was on the team, such a fucking perfect fit for him, and just adds to the long list of fucking gnar dogs on that team.

[@MrEdit74]

He is a good Skateboarder and that is it.

[@Illigrown]

Shredder74 ok “Shredder74”

[@epiphoney2]

I remember seeing his part in Welcome to Hell when I was 14. Still a board boss.

[@michaelwindixie7646]

As a skater I heard this rumor back in the day, funny thing is I had the exact same answer then... So what?

[@matthewwall4942]

I love his shoe too. Only pair of Nike's I've ever bought

[@scottycrayon]

Good for him.

[@Monstacheeks]

Good Skateboarder! Good for you for being yourself and doing what you love to do!

[@redline6871]

Dude hes a legend I dont even care about what he is the only thing I know him as is a legend regardless of his sexual pref

[@habga6375]

Great style, his yeah right part has got to be top 3 song to footy ratio.... hope he still out there rippin

[@johnnycage435]

What does Brian’s Husband do ? They both seem so relaxed

[@davidtrindade1858]

Awesome video and skater. Even more respect to Brian.

[@BlublonikGaming]

1:11 is a dope painting

[@bullred9498]

First time I ever saw BA skate was in Yeah Right when I was 12, that video made me wanna be a skateboarder and I'm a big guy like him so it was inspiring like, I can do this, I don't give a fuck if someone is gay or not

[@dylanbenadie458]

Good on him, the dudes an awesome skater. He skates a 9.0 deck, thats gnarly

[@Lou-if1th]

I have one thing to say....... Yeah Right! Brian Anderson skating to Interpol!

[@ronthunders6124]

hey look, its bluto!! haha BA finally got his own bluto!

[@TheHSIHP]

Sick skater and seems super chill.

[@candleankle1805]

Yeah this has been known for a long time.

[@andyoly1793]

Não acredito ....😵 tenho um enorme respeito pelo Brian Anderson. ..nem eu acreditei .caixa de surpresa ...foi minha inspiração desde quando comecei a andar de skate ...fazer o que ..quem iria imaginar a postura dele masculina a voz ..e ser skatista ....caralhooooo o mundo ta louco .

[@mortyfalch]

bluto... got it... andrew is great!

[@dadoe]

Everyone deserves happiness.

[@Lordylbc]

B.A. COMPLETELY FUCKING RULES!!!

[@pacdaboy3747]

Legendary man🙌🏽

[@SeniorMojo]

keep killing it Brian!

[@7teenagesmokers309]

I figured most skaters already knew he was gay. I think I remember first hearing about it like 10 years ago or so. I never cared, I have some friends who are bothered by someone else's sexual preference. It's weird. They get all uncomfortable about it. There's a few other male skaters who could come out as well, but that doesn't matter, I'm here for the skating, doo!!

[@emilygeraghty3098]

I love this piece.

[@gator-oz7nd]

good on you. dope skater. happy for you.

[@UrbanLikwid]

This was exposed like 12 years ago. All his team mates on the Nike team knew and word spread. Living in NY at the time no one cares if a pro skater is gay. Long as the video parts and sick pics keep coming by you living up to your pro status is all that matters.

[@donutfam4421]

it's just one of the many aspects of a person. It's not weird.

[@kylesaxon2020]

Always Brian Anderson !

[@DJFreeway-DJExit-DJClaritin]

I have taken my anger out on myself in various ways (not happy with any of the ways, but felt good to hide my questioning/bi/pan sexuality)

[@HOPEbabylon]

welcome to the family!! 👊🌈

[@hunter_hult]

His hubby is so cute! 🥰

[@zhoukunlong3959]

it 's a happy ending thought ..

[@wolfruntaro]

He definitely has great taste in men.

[@huyvo467]

knew this in 2011. old news

[@dauntlesspro]

Fuck yeah Brian, wish you the best

[@alteredbeast666]

Shredder

[@arthurboyd9293]

I'm really glad that BA did come out, as skating is a pretty homophobic culture. Hopefully his coming out will sway the minds of the homophobes that looked up to him.

[@rjharrison8645]

Man I don’t like how sad they presented his life.

[@matthewskelton6929]

0:31 what did the kid write on the bottom of his board? I can't understand what BA is saying.

[@sk8rman632]

He wrote "and BOOM! Skateboarding changed just like that."

[@SheSkates926]

A Great Skater!

[@rizashikaro875]

cool guy's got to say a lot of wise things. thanks for that brian, honestly. and good luck that youve finally landed at antiheros. because your fella said "wunderbar" (i think), antihero and ba = topf und deckel ;-)

[@ChristoperJames]

Brian and I have the same type in men!

[@GavStrange]

Love love love for BA 💚💜❤️💛🧡

[@RonPaulRevolution500]

Dude is a legend. Could give two shits that he's gay. Luckily he's not in the NFL or NBA.. Sponsors would be dropping him.

[@ileanagamboa5088]

ESTO ES OTRO NIVEL AMAZING

[@nelsonferreira4378]

I just want my board signed by Brian Anderson...and more new footage of Brian please.

[@SHORTS-qy3eb]

Surprised this is not by VICE

[@ryanhudgins4149]

its extra cringy when people obsess with sexuality but i suppose this is a step forward

[@_Travey]

Fuck yeah BA is gnarlyyyyy

[@kaninsides1922]

Legend

[@realeala]

I wonder if he has ever been to the eagle bar?

[@letyourmindbefree89]

whats the eagle bar?

[@realeala]

@@letyourmindbefree89 a bar

[@CamaroLSskateboarding]

Is he on Anti Hero now?

[@SesameGhetto]

yeah, for quite some time now

[@Latete]

so King

[@dudemanbro2714]

Fucking incredible!!!