As we previously reported, LGBTQIA+ ally Lamont Holt spoke with gay sponsored skater Shy'Keil Robinson about being attacked with a bottle to the head because of his sexuality.
READ MORE: Gay Skater Shy’Keil Robinson Gets Beer Bottle Smashed Over His Head After Alleged Homophobic Slurs
The conversation brought attention to the hate and violence queer people can still face within skateboarding culture.
After hearing Robinson's story, Holt questioned why anyone would bring homophobic comments and hostility to an LGBTQIA+ event that's supposed to be about love, respect, and accepting people for who they are.
Holt's point was pretty simple.
If an event is meant to celebrate LGBTQIA+ people and give them a place to feel welcome, showing up and making hateful remarks goes against the whole reason people are there in the first place.
He compared the situation to attending a Black parade and using a racial slur, explaining how out of place and disrespectful that would be.
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The same principle applies to queer gatherings. People don't have to share the same experiences or identities to treat others with basic respect.
“How are you going to say some homophobic shit around like an event that's about celebrating what ever the fuck you feel me? Just love and respecting everybody. Don't go over there. It's like going to an all black parade and saying the N word,” Holt said.
His comments also come at a time when homophobia in skateboarding continues to be discussed, especially as more queer skaters speak openly about their experiences.
Robinson being struck in the head with a bottle is a disturbing example of the kind of hostility some people face simply for being themselves.
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At the end of the day, Holt believes there's no reason to bring hate into a space built around acceptance.
People attending these events should be able to celebrate without dealing with insults or discrimination.
His message was pretty direct. If you can't respect the people an event is celebrating, there's no reason to attend.
