Pictured Above: Dressed as Raven from “Teen Titans,” Morgan meets up at the skatepark with the Gay Commie Skate Crew.
Courtesy of Creative Loafing
By Molly Ryan
2020 has been more than COVID-19 and casting a vote for 23-year-old Bailey Morgan; it’s been about finding new passions and exploring new opportunities.
Transferring from St. Petersburg College with her associate degree this fall, she began her studies in marine biology at USF St. Petersburg.
“As a marine biology major, (USF St. Petersburg) gives me a good platform for exploring what I’m passionate about as well as being around like-minded peers who share the same passions.”
Morgan tried her hand at acting and journalism before deciding that marine biology was her true passion due to her interest in conservationism.
“I grew up on the ocean, so it has always been near and dear to me,” Morgan said. “I grew up going on boats and to the beach with my family and as an adult I know now how integral the marine ecosystem is to the world’s well-being… Especially in Florida, where it’s a big part of our economy.”
Morgan said that conservationism is about taking action and making change.
“Seeing the world become a better place is a huge part of wanting to get into conservation,” Morgan said. “Being able to make a good impact in the world and the people around is really what drives me forward, knowing that I’m working towards my goals.”
Courtesy of Bailey Morgan
Because all her classes are currently online, Morgan is using this time to familiarize herself with the university and her peers.
“Right now, it’s important for me to make connections with my professors,” Morgan said. “Learning more about what (the professors) do for the environment and their communities, as well as learning what kind of opportunities I have at the university, are really things to know.”
Outside of acclimating to a new school and studying marine biology, Morgan has also recently taken up roller skating.
“A couple of years ago I started going to the Deadly Rival Roller Derby and I watched them almost every month for their meetups,” Morgan said. “It was really cool to see a strong community of women who uplifted each other.
“During quarantine, a renewed interest in skating kind of reappeared for me. I was looking for an activity that would get me outdoors and keep me healthy but would also be a fun learning and growing experience,” Morgan said. “Being able to go to skateparks and move around, it’s definitely helped me find a great community of people and it’s one of the safer ways to gather with others while maintaining a safe distance. It’s just really fun.”
Now, Morgan is a notable member of the Gay Commie Skate Crew (GCSC), an activism-based skate group focused on bringing attention to relevant issues — with a focus on the Indigenous community.
“The name started out as a joke,” Morgan said. “As an activist community we were name called for being leftist and queer by conservative traditionalists. We decided to take those words back and make them our own.”
Established in August, the group has since had its own feature in Creative Loafing and appeared in an article by the Tampa Bay Times detailing the recent boom in the roller skating community.
“Our group is focused on bringing light to many activist topics, each of our members have their own take on activism,” Morgan said. “GCSC has brought me a huge sense of belonging and reignited my love for activism that had sort of laid dormant due to the pandemic. This group really made me feel that I did not only started skating for myself, but also to be able to make an impact on the community in a positive way.”
As well as raising awareness for marginalized groups, GCSC promotes fostering an environment that welcomes anyone of any identity.
“As a new skater I find that being a part of an activist community of like-minded leftists helps me feel accepted,” Morgan said. “Our skate crew accepts people from all skill levels and wheels, making it a mosaic of individuals.”
Morgan has also been featured in several local projects and photoshoots.
“Bailey is extremely talented as a model,” said local photographer Danielle Luna. “She’s very fluid in her posing and she’s great at creating ideas on the fly.”
Along with being in front of the camera, Morgan expresses herself with makeup.
“Makeup was a way to express myself in ways I was not really able to otherwise,” Morgan said. “It’s something that’s really personal to me and being able to share that with the world is a great feeling.”
As the fall semester persists through a pandemic, Morgan is optimistic about her future at USF St. Petersburg.
“Post-COVID-19, I definitely look forward to getting more involved with the marine biology field like working hands-on in labs and having more research opportunities,” Morgan said.
Morgan says her ideal career would involve active research and travel.
“I currently volunteer for the Florida Aquarium, so right now, that’s my little foot in the door,” Morgan said. “I’m looking into master’s programs, so far I’m really interested in this program in Australia that focuses on the marine ecosystems in Antarctica. Really, my major goal right now is to eventually be out in the field collecting data and studying the things I’m passionate about.”
