RETRO FIND: Gay Rodeo spurred community, pride
These cowpokes bucked against the traditional expectations of rodeo culture.
The main rodeo competition doesn't get underway until Saturday. *** few events such as barrel racing got an early start. Yes, the riders are gay, as are all contestants in this rodeo, male and female, most of those attending too. Aside from the rodeo events, there are concession booths of all kinds and contests similar to *** county fair. *** popular activity in the main exhibition hall is gays square dancing. As one observer said, no different than squares gay dancing. It is in this hall that Mr. Ms. and Miss gay rodeo will be crowned, the latter being the ultimate drag queen. The originators are stressing Western gay pride, and gays from all over the country are here to share in it. There's *** union most of the time we're kind of hidden in our own little corners with our own little small groups, and it's nice to see *** big gathering together. Being *** rodeo you don't hear, you know, too many people thinking. Gays are gonna be running on *** rodeo and I think we're here to show people that you know we're we're just like anybody else. You don't rides. No, no, don't wear *** skirt either. There's always such negative feelings about gay people, but when they see that we're organized and we're having *** good time doing it and not hurting anybody. I think it's wonderful. Protest in Reno has been minimal. The gay rodeo brings in more money than any other annual event here, including the Reno Air races.
RETRO FIND: Gay Rodeo spurred community, pride
These cowpokes bucked against the traditional expectations of rodeo culture.
Updated: 11:41 AM CDT Jun 9, 2025
Editorial Standards ⓘ
LGBTQ+ people can create community anywhere. In a country-western culture built on stoicism and hyper-masculinity, the Gay Rodeo allowed cowfolk to be loud and proud about their sexuality. In 1976, Reno, Nevada, became home to the first gay rodeo. The rodeo has been an institution since. The 1986 Gay Rodeo, like others before and after, offered a space where LGBTQ+ identity and western tradition could exist side by side. People competed, square-danced and spoke openly about what it meant to belong.The Reno Gay Rodeo continues to foster pride, visibility and belonging in the community. June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month. Celebrate by learning more about queer history.Watch the full story in the video above. If you liked this archival find, check out more below.
LGBTQ+ people can create community anywhere. In a country-western culture built on stoicism and hyper-masculinity, the Gay Rodeo allowed cowfolk to be loud and proud about their sexuality.
In 1976, Reno, Nevada, became home to the first gay rodeo. The rodeo has been an institution since.
The 1986 Gay Rodeo, like others before and after, offered a space where LGBTQ+ identity and western tradition could exist side by side. People competed, square-danced and spoke openly about what it meant to belong.
The Reno Gay Rodeo continues to foster pride, visibility and belonging in the community.
June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month. Celebrate by learning more about queer history.
Watch the full story in the video above.
If you liked this archival find, check out more below.