Brian Anderson (skateboarder)  Brian Anderson (born June 12, 1976) is a professional skateboarder based in Queens, New York City. Anderson is a native of the U.S. state of Connecticut. Anderson attained professional status in around August 1998 while riding for Toy Machine and was named "Thrasher" magazine's "Skater of the Year" the following year after he joined the Girl Skateboards team. The magazine's editor-in-chief explained: When I first saw him, it was a picture of a frontside bluntslide at Hubba Hideout. This barbaric dude that was obviously larger than life. He just walked right into the spotlight from working 70 hours as a line cook, to being the hottest thing in skateboarding. On August 23, 2013, Anderson's inaugural Nike SB signature model shoe the "Project BA" was launched in New York City, US. The event was held at the Ludlow Studios Gallery in the Lower East Side and heavy metal band Unlocking the Truth provided the musical entertainment for the attendees. Nike SB designer Fabricio Costa used sketches that were drawn by Anderson to create a skate shoe with a "runner-like upturned toe" that is designed specifically for flip tricks. As of January 1, 2016, Anderson is sponsored by Anti Hero Skateboards, Nike SB, Independent, Labor Skateboard Shop, Spitfire, and Bones. In September 2016, Anderson came out as gay, saying that it was something that he knew from a young age. Anderson revealed that he was "totally scared" as a young adult, and chose to hide because he thought it would have a negative effect on his career and that it would be dangerous to talk about in the macho skateboarding world. He hopes to encourage others to come out with the message "it gets better." Anderson is an amateur artist and has contributed graphics for Girl's skateboard products. In 2013, Anderson revealed his intention to initiate his own creative skateboard venture as part of his departure from Girl: Throughout my career I have valued sharing my creative output with the companies that have supported me, and I knew that one day I would want to direct this energy toward a project of my own. That time has arrived. Although it has been a difficult decision, I'm looking forward to this new endeavor. During a period when established riders left board companies that they had been with for lengthy periods of time—for example, Jason Dill's departure from Alien Workshop and Jerry Hsu's from Enjoi—Anderson amicably resigned from the Girl skateboard company to commence his own skateboard deck brand, entitled "3D Skateboards."