Editor’s Note: This is the fifth installment of Spectrum South’s eight-part original Talk Derby to Me series. Roll by each month to meet a new queer Houston Roller Derby skater, coach, or super fan!
By Kelsey Gledhill
When you think of roller derby, safe is probably the furthest word from your mind. Between the jams, blocks, and hip checks, the physical athleticism required definitely deems it a rough-and-tumble sport. Surprisingly enough, however, Houston Roller Derby (HRD) has not only created a safe space for its members, but a welcoming community for skaters, volunteers, and fans alike. I had the pleasure of catching up with retired Bayou City Bosses skater and blocker Suzie Sheldon, aka Pseudonym, to discuss the derby experience as someone on the LGBTQ spectrum, as well as life beyond the track.
Where are you from and how do you identify?
Well, I was born and raised here in Houston and I identify as queer and genderqueer. I’m currently pursuing a master’s degree in social work at the University of Houston and I work as an assistant at the Houston Area Women’s Center within their non-residential services, answering calls on the domestic violence hotline and other various things that support non-residential clients.
How did you first get involved with roller derby?
I was looking for something that would keep me healthy and derby definitely is a unique way to get and stay active. Houston Roller Derby is designed to be a safe space for women, and that interested me, as I wanted to be a part of a group that held similar values to my own. I began skating with The Machete Betties—HRD’s rec league—in 2014 and then eventually tried out to be a home team skater. The Bayou City Bosses picked me up in the draft and I blocked for them until I retired in 2016 to pursue grad school at UH.
Roller derby is known for being a female-empowering and queer-inclusive sport. Has that been your experience?
Yes! Having an inclusive space for women and the LGBTQ community is so meaningful, not only to skaters, but to volunteers, fans, and the community. As a skater, you have a lot of pride and identity when it comes to your home team. Whether winning or losing, you have something to believe in—your team and each other—and that’s important. Derby is a space of openness, support, and leadership. Although my role is now that of a fan, I still feel the camaraderie and stay connected to the derby community. HRD makes it a point to give back to the community by benefiting one local non-profit each month. The Houston Area Women’s Center was fortunate enough to have been one of the charities highlighted. I was able to speak on behalf of the Center regarding domestic violence and the importance of awareness regarding the issue. Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence, even badass derby girls, and it’s important that our community speak out against it and create more safe spaces for all. Derby does just that and it’s nice to see people get excited about a female-dominated, all-inclusive sport.
What has your identity journey looked like for you?
Growing up, I was lucky enough to have attended a large, diverse high school and had LGBTQ friends, so that was very normalized. However, Houston both surprised and hurt me with the rejection of the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO). Houston is the fourth largest and most diverse city in the country, yet this ordinance still presented an issue. The rejection of HERO proved that there was and still is work to be done for equality in the city. It was around this time that I was discovering my identity as genderqueer, so it was even more heartbreaking for me to witness just how much misunderstanding there was around the issue. As far as coming out, I haven’t talked about it extensively with my parents, but they’ve taken my lead and realized that I’m happy, so they’re happy. Happiness is easier to understand than trying to explain or discuss gender or sexual orientation. Any fear or shame that I might have had was really eliminated through the help of the UH LGBTQ Resource Center. I was paired with someone who I truly connected and identified with because their identity was similar to mine. They really helped me to navigate my identity and understand that it was okay to explore and love myself publicly.
Would you rejoin the league?
Yes, absolutely. I recently bought a skateboard to play around with in my spare time. It keeps me active since I’m not currently skating for a team or in the rec league. In all honesty, I haven’t had the head space to think about it just yet, as grad school takes all of my time, but it’s still an option!
Houston Roller Derby’s next bout is Saturday, May 19, at Revention Music Center. Doors open at 6 p.m. Bouts start at 7 p.m. Tickets and more information available at houstonrollerderby.com.
