The gay rodeo
Lindsey Leger
“Welcome, all you cowboys and cowgirls and those of you who haven’t decided yet,” a voice said over the rodeo loudspeaker. “I can promise you that this year’s rodeo finals will be fierce, fun and fabulous!”This is one of the first clues that this isn’t just any rodeo. This is the scene of the World Gay Rodeo Finals, organized by the International Gay Rodeo Association, held this year Oct. 9-11 in Las Vegas, Nevada. In addition to traditional rodeo events like steer riding, calf roping and barrel racing, this rodeo also has Steer Decorating, Goat Dressing and a Wild Drag Race.
The rodeo has its roots in the same state where, in 1988, 100 competitors and 400 guests were turned away by law enforcement at that year’s rodeo finals because of their sexual orientation. A history of rejection and discrimination formed a tight-knit, yet diverse community of rodeo athletes and supporters across the U.S. and Canada.
Before the official start of the finals, contestants took their horses down to the arena for practice runs. There, competitors and horses galloped, expertly maneuvering poles and barrels, moving as if one being. The owners patted their horses on the neck, both tired after practice.The rodeo officially kicked off with the Royalty Competition, which crowned titles like Ms., Mr., Miss and MsTer. Participants in drag or in traditional western wear competed with song and dance performances.
We're like a big family. It's a great group of people. - Chili Pepper
Backstage, contestants helped each other get into costume. “It’s not everyday Wynonna does your lint roller for you,” said a contestant for the MsTer title, referring to his counterpart dressed as Wynonna Judd."I'm like the grandmother of the Royalty Competition," says Chili Pepper, originally from Arizona, who first won as Miss International Gay Rodeo in 1993. "We're like a big family. It's a great group of people."Charlie, whose drag name is Preston, danced and lip synced to “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy,” by Kenny Chesney, clad in an open, button-down plaid shirt, jeans, cowboy boots and cowboy hat.
The next morning began with calf roping. A harried-looking arena worker called out, “Contestants, does anyone have a hacksaw handy?”“No, but I’ve got an emery board!” quipped David Lawson, another competitor.A moment later, the group erupted in cheers as Deb Freeman, the first woman contestant to go, roped her calf in 1.13 seconds.Later, during pole bending — in which a contestant and their horse must achieve the fastest time weaving between poles — a competitor managed to snap one of the poles in half when his horse collided with it. “Well, I’ve never seen that before,” said the announcer. “But this is Las Vegas. I’m sure we can find another pole around here somewhere.”
The gender division is so much better here — the competitors are pretty evenly split, not like other rodeos where it’s like 90% men. - Amanda Kirkhuff
Much of the group hovered around age 40 or older, but a young couple from Seattle was part of the younger crowd in attendance. Amanda Kirkhuff, a visual artist, and Clyde Petersen, a musician, have attended many rodeos over the years but say gay rodeos are the most fun. Amanda appreciates the more open environment. “You always see gay people at rodeos, but it’s just unspoken — it’s a homophobic space,” she said. “The gender division is so much better here. The competitors are pretty evenly split, not like other rodeos where it’s like 90% men.”Even after five years of participating in gay rodeos, Janine Pardee of Orlando, Florida still considers herself a rookie, a status that’s welcomed at IGRA. “One of the cool things about the gay rodeo is that you can get into it as a rookie,” she says. “Unlike a traditional rodeo, where you have to grow up on a ranch to participate, from a practical standpoint, a lot of us get into it later in life."
One of the cool things about the gay rodeo is that you can get into it as a rookie. Unlike a traditional rodeo where you have to grow up on a ranch to participate, from a practical standpoint. A lot of us get into it later in life. - Janine Pardee
By the end of the weekend, the new champions were announced and new drag royalty was crowned. It’s time for everyone to head back to the ranch, or on to the next competition in the rodeo season.