Earlier this week we put out a double-part, Strauberry Peach, featuring trans and queer skateboarders Cher Strauberry and Peach Sørensen. As promised, we’ve also got exclusive interviews with both of these rad girls about their journeys through skateboarding, and about the heart, soul and hair-dye that went into their unique styles on and off the board. First up: Peach! Take it away!
When did skateboarding first touch your life? And what kept you riding?
I started skateboarding in 2006 when I was 13 years old, the first summer of junior high. It was just fun, you know? It was just really fun, and it felt nice that something could just be about fun. I guess that’s really why I’ve kept doing it too. It’s allowed me to have fun and not think about everything else, it’s allowed me to be myself and express myself, and that’s all very important to me.
You’ve got such a unique style. What’s inspired you to skate like you skate?
Thank you! There are so many things that inspire me, though. People inspire me! When I see people I follow being creative, doing crazy tricks, looking fab, just living their lives doing their thing, I feel inspired. There’s so many unique people, unique tricks and unique looks, and I wanna create my own as well, my own unique expression. When I skate, I just wanna have fun, I like weird and playful tricks, I think it’s fun to try technical tricks, but it doesn’t always have to be super hard, and I like to try and get tricks clean, but they don’t always have to be that either. It’s just a fun challenge sometimes.
Any skaters specifically?
Cher (Strauberry) is an inspiration for me when it comes to both skating and looks, and not to mention being myself. I see lots of amazing people like her looking just great, just living their life, and that always inspires me. It’s really great to see, it makes me want to just live my life as well, the way I want. Hell, sometimes I can even get sort of jealous, though, and maybe wish I could do it to a fuller extent than I already do.
How do you find your spots? Some of them are pretty weird!
A lot of times I like to try and find spots that are perfect for a certain trick and rather use the spot to come up with creative combos. I’ve always got an eye for Natas Spin spots and the likes. [Laughs]
Your creative style is mirrored off the board too. We can’t get enough of your rad dress sense!
I don’t know, I just like a cute, feminine expression, but also a bit of a punky twist, and I guess I try to combine that in some weird way and just have fun trying to match different things. That’s also some of what made me fall in love with my sponsor, Proper Gnar, the way they combine femme fashion and skateboarding, two things I feel passionate about. I love that, I love their expression, it’s exactly what I want, so they have definitely inspired some looks that I really gotta give them some credit for. I’ve had a few looks that may be a bit extravagant or over-the-top, but I think that can be cool too, and besides I love dressing up!
Does it ever get difficult to keep up that level of enthusiasm?
I think it’s always worth hoping, always worth trying. I just needed some help from my girlfriend to realise that. I wouldn’t even have dared trying if it hadn’t been for my girlfriend, who has probably helped me and inspired me more than anyone, more than she could even imagine. She has given me the room and the confidence to be myself and express my identity, and she has always been very accepting, very supportive.
How does your identity and skateboarding interact? Do you feel accepted by skateboarding?
They interact seamlessly! I feel like skateboarding is a great platform for expressing myself, my identity and feelings. The act of skateboarding knows no gender or sexuality, no style or expression. You can be anyone you’d like to be. I want to show that there is room for femininity and sensitivity in skateboarding as well, because there is. I feel accepted by skateboarding, skateboarding doesn’t judge you, it’s people that do that, and that’s a bit of a different case.
You don’t feel accepted by people sometimes?
I don’t feel accepted by a lot of people, but I don’t expect them to accept me in any way. That’s okay. I still feel how I feel, I can still express myself the way I want. I still have skateboarding, nobody can own that. Besides, skateboarding’s also got people that stick up for me and cheer me on for being myself and expressing who I am. That they choose to fight for the things I believe in as well, that means everything.
Movements like Unity have pioneered queer/trans culture in skateboarding. Is there resistance to this? Where do you think this movement is going next?
I think projects like this have really helped the community, and I am incredibly thankful for them. I think there’ll always be some who may not be as accepting and understanding as one might hope, and that’s a little sad. I don’t think anyone has the right to deny anyone’s gender or sexuality, but sure, you don’t have to understand it if you don’t want to. People don’t have to agree with me or anything, I’m really not asking for that, nor is anyone else I think, but everyone wants to be respected, and I think that’s the least people can do.
In a way, sometimes it feels like the ball has started rolling and it can’t be stopped, with regards to skateboarding.
I think that any hate and rejection only brings out more love and acceptance from those it’s targeted at. With that in mind, I can only hope that the community keeps growing, keeps getting stronger, and that it reaches out to more people – people that may not feel like they belong to a community.
On a personal level: You recently had your name change accepted! Peach, congratulations! How do you feel?
Thank you so much! It’s just a stupid name, but it really meant a lot to me. I don’t know how far I’ll get on my journey, but it felt like a big step in the right direction for me and, well, it’s something I can feel happy about.
What would you say to others in trans or queer culture who want to move through life and skateboarding like you have?
Sometimes you just gotta do what will make you happy. You just get one life, and it’s your life, so the least you can do is live it the way you actually want to. Sometimes it can be really hard though, and while I like to believe that I don’t care about what people may say or think about me, sometimes that’s just not true.
“I think that any hate and rejection only brings out more love and acceptance from those it’s targeted at.”
Either way, I know I would’ve ended up regretting it for the rest of my life if I hadn’t gone with what I felt was right. I needed help, I needed a lot of support, and I still do, but however much trouble and pain it may cost, it’s better than regretting forever. It’s so worth it I think.
Any final words, Peach?
If I may, I would like to express my gratitude towards everyone who’s helped me in any way with making my video part. Most of all a huge thanks and a big hug to my girlfriend, Egylon, for filming pretty much everything and doing an incredible job, and for sticking out with me during hours of trying stupid tricks. You are not only the best girlfriend ever, but also the best boyfriend ever, and my best friend. Huge thanks and much love also to my dream and actual sponsor, Proper Gnar, for the clothes, the inspiration and the support. Huge thanks to my beloved TwoFurryBros, for helping me out with some additional filming and editing, not to mention hosting me and making me feel at home. Thank you for being the best bros I could ever wish for, you are both just amazing. One last huge thanks also to one of my fave bands, (T-T)b, for being so kind and letting me use their awesome music for my part. Your music means a lot to me.
And a big thank you from us, Peach, for helping us put this part out.
Follow Peach on Instagram: @BlondeMohawk
