LGBTQIA+ pro skater Leo Baker has always stood out not just for their skate skills but for their unapologetic identity.
UPDATE: LGBTQIA+ Pro Skateboarder Leo Baker Launches New Board Brand “Tacky Joy Factory”
As a queer skateboarder, Baker, along with Cher Strauberry and Stephen Ostrowski, co-founded Glue Skateboards in 2020, a brand that quickly became known for offering a much-needed perspective in an often homogenous industry.
Their mission was clear - create space for people to be their authentic selves, and let skateboarding reflect the diversity of its participants.
The stories behind Baker, Strauberry and Ostrowski couldn’t possibly be told in one conversation, but what they’ve accomplished is undeniable.
However, after Strauberry retired from professional skateboarding, and Baker embarked on a new creative path, Glue Skateboards has officially come to an end.
The brand’s social media accounts and website have been taken down, marking the close of an era.
While this might seem like the end of something special, it’s far from over for Baker.
With the launch of their new brand, Tacky Joy Factory, Leo is diving into the next chapter with even more ambition and a fresh direction.
Tacky Joy Factory is set to build on the foundation that Glue Skateboards started, continuing the fight for inclusivity and providing a platform for skaters to express themselves fully.
For those who followed Glue, it’s hard not to feel a sense of nostalgia. Glue wasn’t just a brand. It was a symbol of the change that needed to happen in skateboarding.
It was a brand that embraced individuality, celebrating the diverse identities of those who made skateboarding their own.