Rural gays create rodeo circuit for camaraderie

[Ediacara]

Rural gays create rodeo circuit for camaraderie
By Michelle Ruchlo of The Associated Press - 03/22/2004


Tee Tramp of Lancaster, Calif., competes
in the barrel racing event at the Arizona
gay rodeo, Jan. 17 in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Over two days, participants at the event
rope calves, ride bulls and broncos,
maneuver their horses around barrels and
poles — typical rodeo activity. Some of
them also will race goats, decorate steers
and dress in drag. The rodeo is a stop on
the International Gay Rodeo Association
circuit. AP Photo

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — A half dozen cowboys are exercising their horses around the dirt arena where corporate sponsor pennants flutter from the sun-faded blue metal grand stands.

Over two days, participants will rope calves, ride bulls and broncos, maneuver their horses around barrels and poles — typical rodeo activity.

Some of them also will race goats, decorate steers and dress in drag, because this isn't exactly a typical rodeo. It's a stop on the International Gay Rodeo Association circuit.

The association, which formed in 1985 and stages the events partly to raise money for charity, has more than

20 rodeos in the United States and Canada planned this year, with a finals rodeo Oct. 14-17 in Omaha, Neb. Most of the participants are gay, though

More at the Montana Standard (Butte)

[David__77]

1. Gay rodeo has been around for a long time--decades.

Not my scene (rodeos, that is), but more power to them! It was very interesting going to a gay bar near Rapid City, South Dakota. Very different than places in my hometown in California!

[Bridget Burke]

2. "20 Years of Texas Rodeo"

Check out the Texas Gay Rodeo Association website:

www.atomar.com/tgra/

[Toucano]

3. Are these rodeos cruelty-free? n/t

[joeybee12]

4. As a gay person, I ask that question also...

...I have a porblem with rodeos in general. Lots of animal cruelty simply because it's "tradition."