Skateboarding great Tony Hawk backs gay marriage (Video)

By Henry McKenna | Jul 30, 2014

Jun 30, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; The Seattle Mariners fly the rainbow flag for the first time in club history in support of the Seattle gay community during the game between the Seattle Mariners and the Chicago Cubs at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports /

Tony Hawk spoke his mind about gay marriage and supported equal rights for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation. He is the latest celebrity to join the Human Rights Campaign’s Americans for Marriage Equality. Tony Hawk and the HRC put out this video in support of the effort, not unlike the one that Susan Sarandon made only a week ago.

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“People ask me all the time, ‘What advice do I have for kids who want to become pro-skaters?’ I always say pretty much the same thing work hard and follow your heart,” Hawk says in the clip. “That’s how I feel about marriage equality, we all deserve to follow our hearts.”

His pointed remarks help the sporting world and gay rights activism intersect more readily. Michael Sam and Jason Collins are household names, and it’s great to see celebrities like Tony Hawk working for the HRC’s cause.

“Like most Americans, Tony Hawk knows that all families deserve to be treated with respect, dignity, and equality under the law,” HRC’s Charles Joughin said in an email statement to Huffington Post. “We are incredibly grateful to Tony for speaking out in favor of marriage equality, and lending his voice to HRC’s fight for fairness nationwide.”