News

Roller derby is HUGE in the queer community, particularly queer women. My guess is, if you have this take, you're not really involved in LGBT culture.

Roller derby began its modern revival in Austin, Texas in the early 2000s as an all-female, woman-organized amateur sport.[50] By August 2006, there were over 135 similar leagues.[51] Leagues outside the U.S. also began forming in 2006, and international competition soon followed. There are over 2,000 amateur leagues worldwide[52] in countries including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, France,[53] Brazil, Germany, Belgium, Finland, Norway,[54] Sweden,[55] Denmark,[56] Israel,[57] Singapore,[58][59][60] UAE,[61][62] Egypt,[63][64][65] Thailand,[66] and China.[67] In many international leagues, gear and equipment must be imported.[68] Roller derby's contemporary resurgence has been regarded as an aspect of globalization which demonstrates "the speed with which pop culture is now transported by highly mobile expatriates and social media, while also highlighting the changing role of women in many societies".[2]

Many roller derby leagues are amateur, self-organized and all-female[69] and were formed in a do-it-yourself spirit by relatively new enthusiasts.[70] In many leagues (especially in the U.S.), a punk[71][72] aesthetic and/or third-wave feminist[73] ethic is prominent.[74] Members of fledgling leagues often practice and strategize together, regardless of team affiliation, between bouts.[75] Most compete on flat tracks, though several leagues skate on banked tracks, with more in the planning stages.[76]

Each league typically features local teams in public bouts that are popular with a diverse fan base.[77] Some venues host audiences ranging up to 7,000.[78] Successful local leagues have formed traveling teams comprising the league's best players to compete with comparable teams from other cities and regions. In February 2012, the International Olympic Committee considered roller derby, amongst eight other sports, for inclusion in the 2020 Olympic Games.[79][80]

In 2009, the feature film Whip It featured roller derby and introduced a wider audience to the sport. The WFTDA encouraged leagues to coordinate with promotions during the film's release to increase awareness of the leagues.[81] Furthermore, corporate advertising has used roller derby themes in television commercials for insurance,[82] a breakfast cereal,[83] and an over-the-counter analgesic.[84]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roller_derby#Contemporary_roller_derby

Doesn't sound like they do.

Do they? Roller derby is crazy popular in my area. They even have roller derby camps for kids.