The Harold Hunter Foundation
LGBTQIA+ Initiative

On International Women's Day 2022, Harold Hunter Foundation (HHF) launched a formal initiative to provide support and advocacy to NYC skateboarders who identify as LGBTQIA+. Through workshops, meetups, events, and sponsorships, we hope to build bridges and cultivate community around gender diversity in skateboarding in NYC and beyond.

Program Overview: The LGBTQIA+ Initiative, presented by The Harold Hunter Foundation, is a dynamic program dedicated to fostering inclusion and support for LGBTQIA+ individuals within the skateboarding community. This initiative is designed to create a safe and affirming space, celebrate diversity, and challenge stereotypes within a traditionally male-dominated sport.
Program Objectives:

• Inclusivity: The primary goal of the program is to create an inclusive environment within skateboarding, where LGBTQIA+ individuals can express their authentic selves without fear of discrimination or prejudice.
  
• Support and Mentorship: The program aims to provide support, mentorship, and resources to LGBTQIA+ skateboarders, fostering a sense of belonging, community, and well-being.
  
• Education and Advocacy: By offering educational resources and advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights and representation within the skateboarding community, the initiative seeks to raise awareness and challenge stereotypes.
  
• Celebrating Diversity: We celebrate the diversity of the skateboarding community by embracing LGBTQIA+ identities and stories, promoting acceptance, and understanding.
  

Key Program Components:

• Inclusive Skate Sessions: Regular skateboarding sessions that create a safe and welcoming environment for LGBTQIA+ skateboarders to enjoy the sport.
  
• Mentorship: Pairing LGBTQIA+ participants with experienced LGBTQIA+ skateboarders to provide guidance, support, and a platform for sharing experiences.
  
• Educational Workshops: Workshops that cover LGBTQIA+ issues, history, and resources, providing participants with valuable knowledge and skills.
  
• Community Engagement: Building strong relationships with LGBTQIA+ organizations, allies, and local stakeholders to promote inclusivity and support within the skateboarding community.
  
• Advocacy: The program advocates for LGBTQIA+ rights and representation in the skateboarding world, working to reduce stereotypes and discrimination.
  

Program Benefits:

• Inclusivity: Participants experience a sense of belonging and acceptance within the skateboarding community, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
  
• Support and Mentorship: LGBTQIA+ individuals receive support, mentorship, and resources, helping them navigate the challenges they may face within and outside the skateboarding world.
  
• Education and Awareness: Participants gain knowledge and awareness of LGBTQIA+ issues, fostering a more informed and empathetic skateboarding community.
  
• Celebrating Diversity: The program celebrates the diversity of the skateboarding community by embracing and promoting the stories and identities of LGBTQIA+ skateboarders.
  
• Advocacy: The initiative advocates for LGBTQIA+ rights and representation, challenging stereotypes and discrimination within skateboarding.
  

The LGBTQIA+ Initiative at The Harold Hunter Foundation is dedicated to creating a more inclusive, accepting, and diverse skateboarding community. By providing safe spaces, mentorship, education, and advocacy, this program empowers LGBTQIA+ individuals to thrive within the sport and challenges stereotypes, fostering a more welcoming environment for all.