Colorado’s Iconic Gay Rodeo Celebrates 41 Years Of Pride And Tradition
The Colorado Gay Rodeo Association (CGRA) has been hosting its annual gay rodeo since 1983, making it the longest-running event of its kind. According to The Conversation, the Rocky Mountain Regional Rodeo in Denver will celebrate its 41st anniversary on July 12-13, 2024. This milestone event is part of a larger circuit of rodeos that have spanned the United States and Canada, despite facing cultural pushback.
A Legacy Born in Reno
The concept of gay rodeo didn’t start in Colorado. It began in Reno, Nevada, in 1976. Businessman Phil Ragsdale organised the first gay rodeo as a fundraiser for local community groups. Despite challenges in securing space and animals, the event was a success and grew into the National Reno Gay Rodeo, attracting up to 10,000 attendees annually.
“A Community of Cowfolx”
In 1981, John King opened Charlie’s Denver, a gay country western bar managed by Wayne Jakino. This venue became a gathering spot for queer ranchers, rodeoers, and country western fans. Friends from the bar attended the 1982 Reno rodeo, and by 1983, they held their own rodeo in Denver, naming it the Rocky Mountain Regional Rodeo. This was the first gay rodeo outside Nevada and soon inspired others in cities like Oklahoma City, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and Dallas.
Under the leadership of King and Jakino, the Denver rodeo helped establish other gay rodeos across the U.S. and Canada. When the Reno rodeo faltered in 1984, the Rocky Mountain Regional Rodeo members collaborated with groups in Texas, California, and Arizona to form the International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA) in 1985, with Jakino as its first president.
Despite its success, the IGRA faced significant anti-LGBTQIA+ backlash. In 1988, the CGRA reported that eight arenas refused to host their rodeo due to their LGBTQIA+ affiliation. The AIDS epidemic in the 1980s further intensified hostility. The CGRA lost two founding members to AIDS in 1986 and redirected its fundraising efforts to support the HIV/AIDS crisis.
“A Fight for Equal Rights”
The expansion of the Christian Right in the 1980s and ’90s led to campaigns against LGBTQIA+ rights in Colorado. The Colorado For Family Values organisation pushed for Amendment 2, which aimed to prevent cities from protecting LGBTQIA+ people. The amendment passed in 1992 but was overturned by the Supreme Court in 1996. During this period, Jakino urged supporters to break boycotts to support the rodeo’s economic survival.
The future of gay rodeo remains uncertain. The AIDS epidemic and homophobic legislation took a toll, but they also united the community. By 2013, there were more defunct associations than active ones in the IGRA. The COVID-19 pandemic further challenged the organisation. However, recent years have seen a resurgence, with 12 rodeos back on the circuit.
The CGRA’s 40th anniversary rodeo in 2023 packed the stands, showing that the spirit of gay rodeo is still alive. As the CGRA prepares for its 41st anniversary, the community remains hopeful. The resilience and unity of the gay rodeo community continue to inspire and pave the way for future generations.
