Sun City Roller Girls

The pack is a tight pride of lionesses prepared to pounce. The stadium buzzer signals the start of the bout and the ladies launch into the hunt. A svelte and speedy jammer races ahead like a mechanical rabbit on a greyhound track. This is the moment thousands of El Pasoans were waiting for in lines snaking around the parking lot of the county coliseum.

The May 14th Friday night bout was a culmination of the energy and support SCRG has been garnering these past two seasons. The blaring lowrider With the revving engine that ushered in the girls, as well as the fire dancers before the match hit its mark in its aim to please the crowd. With toxic-green tulle skirts, wicked witch of the eastside-style striped tube socks, these girls are skating their way to putting El Paso on the derby map.

And with cheeky, culturally-relevant teams monikers like Las Catrinas, Chuco-town Chulas, and Las Pistoleras, these ladies are proud to show they are home-grown and borderland-identified. SCRG events are as fun, inclusive, and family-oriented as a Diablos baseball game. The difference of course is the rockabilly hipster edge that derby brings to the competition.

What's also striking and refreshing is the empowerment of the ladies on the floor, as well as the ladies and little girls watching from the stands. Roller Derby women are fast, rough-and-tumble, elbowing, aggressive competitors. Many wear glitter-gloss, booty shorts, and fish-net stockings but escape objectification because their display is on their own terms. That's why so many of them look like punked-out ballerinas and gothic cheerleaders-to project an image of athleticism, beauty, and fuck-it attitude.

This has also led to a very open, supportive environment for ladies into ladies. Wether teammates, fans, or officials, the kick-ass spirit of SCRG doesn't discriminate.

*COOL-O* spoke to a few awesome ladies and asked them what derby means to them, El Paso, and if they had any words of wisdom for any young lesbians in high school who may be feeling isolated and invisible.

Euthanasia of the Sexecutioners

"It's a great sisterhood. There's no discrimination. When I came out and was skating with my team they were so cool. They were like, do you have a girlfriend, let's hook you up! They were so supportive. I love it. I think gay people have a bad rap in this city. I think RCDG helps people be more accepting of us. As for young girls out there, don't give up! There are other girls like you. Just wait. When you find each other, it'll be great. You'll love it. And come to derby games, it's very accepting."

Cuata Fuck

"Thia ia a tough sport that makes you feel powerful. It's a place where people can be themselves. It's nice to see lesbians out in the open where no one will judge you. To girls in high school, I say tough it out. High school is only four years after that, it's a whole new world full of lesbians and adventures and you'll find yourself out there one day soon".