The International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA), founded in 1985,Pimentel, Bob. "The History of Gay Rodeo," Out in All Directions: The Almanac of Gay and Lesbian America, Warner Books, 1995. is the sanctioning body for gay rodeos held throughout the United States and Canada. The first gay rodeo held outside of the United States to be sanctioned by the IGRA was the Canadian Rockies International Rodeo held in Alberta in 1994. They are the largest group coordinating rodeo events specifically welcoming lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) as well as heterosexual participants and spectators. IGRA is composed of many regional gay rodeo associations, and sanctions a season of rodeo events which culminates in an annual World Gay Rodeo Finals. IGRA events are intended to allow all competitors, regardless of sexual and gender identity, to compete in rodeo sports without discrimination. The organization helps spread appreciation for Western culture and the sport of rodeo, while serving as a fundraising vehicle benefiting many charitable organizations."About Us," International Gay Rodeo Association, accessed 3 July 2011
Competitors compete for prize money and the title of All Around Cowboy and Cowgirl at each rodeo. The winners of each event receive trophy buckles designed by the hosting association. At season's end, the contestants with the highest points in each event receive invitations to the World Gay Rodeo Finals presented by IGRA. The event was renamed in 2009 from the previous "International Gay Rodeo Finals" moniker it held from its onset in Hayward, California.
The original intent of these rodeos was fundraising, and while highly competitive and structured rodeos still serve the primary purpose of being fundraisers. The money raised at the rodeo is donated to the designated charities of each association. In total IGRA and all the associated associations have donated to furthering the individual causes of all charities that are benefactors of rodeo funds.
In 2010, the IGRA archives dating from 1975 were deposited in the library collection of the Autry National Center in Griffith Park, Los Angeles, which also houses the Museum of the American West.Hinton, Gregory. "Better Two than One: The Shirts from Brokeback Mountain," pp. 118-122 in The Brokeback Book: From Story to Cultural Phenomenon, ed. William R. Handley: Bison Books, University of Nebraska Press, 2011
History The first gay rodeo was held as a charity fundraising event at the Washoe County Fairgrounds in Reno, Nevada on October 2, 1976."Gay Rodeo History," International Gay Rodeo Association, accessed 3 July 2011. The organizer, Phil Ragsdale, a member of the Imperial Court System, was the Court Emperor of Reno. In time, he came to be regarded as the "Father of Gay Rodeo."
Ragsdale came up with the idea of a holding a rodeo to raise money for the local Thanksgiving Day food drive for senior citizens. Over 125 people took part in the first rodeo, and the winners were crowned King of the Cowboys, Queen of the Cowgirls, and Miss Dusty Spurs (drag queen). The National Reno Gay Rodeo title was officially created in 1977, when he founded the Comstock Gay Rodeo Association. Following the Imperial courts' lead Ragsdale added the "Mr., Ms., and Miss National Reno Gay Rodeo" titles to aid in the fund raising that was to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association. These titles still exist today but have been recognized as Mr., Ms., Miss, MsTer, and Mx. International Gay Rodeo Association since the IGRA replaced the old National Reno format.
By 1984, the ninth and final National Reno Gay Rodeo brought out over 10,000 people to the rodeo grounds. The demise of the National Reno Rodeos is credited by the IRS as a dispute between the Gay Rodeo, the Washoe County Fairgrounds and the Sands Hotel. The rodeo's books were alleged to have been seized by the IRS.
History has recorded 14 gay rodeos (9 in Reno, 3 in Colorado, 1 in Texas, and 1 in California) prior to the formation of the International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA). The IGRA became truly international in 1993 when the Canada-based Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo Association joined.
In September 1985 with 10 years of rodeo history behind it, gay rodeo associations from Colorado, Texas, California, and Arizona gathered in Denver, Colorado to form an organization to standardize the rules of Gay Rodeo. As a result, the International Gay Rodeo Association was created with Colorado, Texas, California, and Arizona as founding member associations. These four associations seated the Oklahoma Gay Rodeo Association at its first convention held in the same year. The newly formed association elected Wayne Jakino from Colorado as its first President.
In 1987, IGRA's first International Finals Rodeo was held in Hayward, California. The name was changed to the World Gay Rodeo Finals in 2009.
The 2014 documentary film Queens & Cowboys follows the story of cowboy Wade Earp and others who compete in the IGRA. Earp discusses how he does not compete in rodeos outside IGRA because, "There's still a lot of homophobia. As progressive as we think the world's gotten, there's so much we have to conquer." On November 9, 2014, CNN aired an episode of This Is Life with Lisa Ling that covered the Zia Regional Rodeo in Santa Fe, New Mexico, including profiles of several cowboys and cowgirls that are active on the IGRA circuit.
Conventions, presidents, and royalty
A list of presidents, royalty, conventions, and finals since IGRA was founded in 1985:
Year / Rodeos Held Convention President Mr. IGRA Ms. IGRA Miss IGRA (drag queen) MsTer IGRA (drag king) Mx IGRA (non-binary, gender non-conforming, gender queer) Finals Rodeo Grand Marshals 1985 Denver Wayne Jakino, CGRA-- -- -- -- -- 1986 / 5 Denver Wayne Jakino Gary Oliver, CGRA Jeannie Nelson, CGRA Fritz Capone (Jim Freeman), OGRA -- -- -- 1987 / 6 Albuquerque Les Krambeal, OGRA Tony Lazano, TGRA Dee Godwin, OGRA Misty Michaels (Steve Rogers), KGRA -- Hayward, CA Shanti Project 1988 / 7 Fort Worth Les Krambeal -- -- -- -- Reno, NV (see note below) Lynn Copeland & Wayne Jakino 1989 / 7 Albuquerque Gerald Ford, TGRA Jerry Hubbard, GSGRA Connie Clovis, KGRA Magnolia Spirits (Buddy Sojourner), CGRA -- Phoenix, AZ Ed Buck 1990 / 7 Wichita Linn Copeland, KGRA Larry Brumley, OGRA Laura O'Neill, CGRA Moosala (Mark Church), AGRA -- Phoenix, AZ Katie Southwick 1991 / 10 Albuquerque Bob Pimentel, NMGRA Scott Burleson, MGRA Linda Sullo, GSGRA Hollie Woods (David Anaya), AGRA -- Wichita, KS The Names Project 1992 / 13 St. Paul Bob Pimentel Jim Carter, OGRA RC Cuellar, CGRA Roxie Heart (John Kingston), KGRA -- Phoenix, AZ Wayne Jakino 1993 / 16 Billings Roger Bergmann, GSGRA Ron Neff, CGRA Dee Zuspann, KGRA Chili Pepper (Tony Valdez), TGRA -- Fort Worth, TX Gerald Ford 1994 / 21 Little Rock Roger Bergmann J.R. Duran, NMGRA Joanne Bawiec, ASGRA Miss Tessie (Tim Smith), SEGRA -- Denver, CO Greg Olson 1995 / 22 Chicago Roger Bergmann Mark Burdine, NMGRA Desiree Gronwald, CGRA DeShannon (Mitch Gill), TGRA -- Denver, CO Roger Bergmann 1996 / 20 Omaha Tom Vance, NSGRA Michael Vrooman, CGRA Shugar Vigil, NMGRA Naomi La'Rell (Quentin Sims), CGRA -- Albuquerque, NM Connie Lee 1997 / 18 Salt Lake City Tom Vance Tommy Channel, CGRA Sherry Reedy, AGRA Tori Hart (Rohn Roldan), CGRA -- Phoenix, AZ Tom Vance 1998 / 20 Baltimore Linda Frazier, KGRA Kurt McGregor, AGRA Tamara Marks, MIGRA Beverly DeMarco (Anthony D.), NMGRA -- Phoenix, AZ Glenn Gore 1999 / 19 Long Beach Linda Frazier Douglas Graff, GSGRA Laura Scott, NGRA DeShannon (Mitch Gill), NGRA -- Little Rock, AR Ron Trusley 2000 / 17 Las Vegas Craig Allen Rouse, GSGRA Daniel Lusk, ASGRA Lonni LaBel, ASGRA Harley Quinn (Michael Vrooman), ILGRA -- Albuquerque, NM Thom Sloan 2001 / 17 Long Beach Craig Allen Rouse Michael Cunningham, ILGRA Erin Leavey, SEGRA Victoria London (Scott Tickler), AGRA -- Palm Springs, CA Jose Sarria, aka "The Widow Norton" 2002 / 19 Cleveland Craig Allen Rouse Mark Larson, NSGRA Lize MacDonald, NGRA Bianca St John (Kenny Cunitz), CGRA -- Wichita, KS Fritz Capone 2003 / 19 Phoenix Craig Allen Rouse David Westman, CGRA Mary Munger, CGRA Jada McRae (Jay Carlson), ILGRA -- Tulsa, OK Patrick Terry 2004 / 20 Denver Craig Allen Rouse Eric Hanson, GSGRA Julie Brown, DSRA Mandy Barbarell (Andrew Goodman), MGRA -- Omaha, NE Tamara Marks 2005 / 20 Calgary Brian Helander, AGRA Ken Pool, CGRA Gaylia Young, AGRA Pussy LeHoot (Kevin McSweeny), AGRA -- Dallas, TX James Ramey 2006 / 20 Nashville Brian Helander Steve Wollert, GSGRA Kimberley Kay, CGRA Jymmye Jaymes (James Young), ASGRA -- Reno, NV Keith Ann, Mitch Gill 2007 / 18 Kansas City Brian Helander Clyde Mitter, CGRA -- Destiny B. Childs (Ric Legg), ASGRA -- Denver, CO Wayne Jakino 2008 / 20 New Orleans Brian Helander Gary Rushton, AGRA -- Janet Jenkins, CGRA -- Denver, CO John King 2009 / 16 Toronto Brian Helander Wade Earp, TGRA Sharon Starks, AGRA Aspen Vail, (Steve Sublett) CGRA Rocket Coxx, (Jamie Light) CGRA Albuquerque, NM Lorrie Murphy 2010 / 17 Reno Brian Helander Roger Courtemanche, CGRA -- Ionna Doublewide, AGRA -- Laughlin, NV Lorry King 2011 / 15 San Diego Doug Graff, NGRA Michael Butts, AGRA Sharon Starks, AGRA Kimberli Foxx, NGRA -- Fort Worth, TX David Hill 2012 / 15 Las Vegas Doug Graff, NGRA Rodd Smunk, TGRA Kami Boles, MGRA Victoria Weston, TGRA Shane Lee, MGRA Fort Worth, TX Frank Harrell/Ty Teigen 2013 / 14 San Diego Ed Barry, ILGRA Frank Thompson, OGRA -- Sabel D'Zyre, NGRA -- Fort Worth, TX Mitch Gill 2014 / 13 Denver Ed Barry, ILGRA Jeff Germany, OGRA Pauline Chavez, CGRA Katrina Davenport, NGRA Rocki Heffa, TGRA Fort Worth, TX Janie Van Santen 2015 / 11 St Petersburg Bruce Gros Andrew Johnson, CGRA -- Luxx Bentley, OGRA Preston, NGRA Las Vegas, NV Brian Rogers 2016 / 10 Austin Bruce Gros Thomas McCarthy, FGRA Mary Honeycutt, TGRA Madison Devereux, TGRA Macc Country, OGRA Las Vegas, NV Ed Berry 2017 / 11 Little Rock Bruce Gros Mark Christensen, OGRA Allyson Paige Henery, GPRA Kelly ONeil, TGRA - - Albuquerque, NM TBD2018 / 11Salt Lake CityCandy PrattTre' Brewbaker, NMGRA 1st RU- Chris Tobin CGRA
2nd RU- Tony Schwartz NSGRATamra Kelly, TGRA, 1st RU Christi MikelsMipsy Mikels, AGRA 1st RU- Marie Antoinette DuBarryNMGRA
2nd RU- Phat Patty NGRARJ Mikels, AGRAScottsdale, AZAnthony Valdez2019 / 10DenverCandy PrattTravis James, AGRAAlina Whorez, TGRA 1st RU - Jen Vrana, KSGRA 2nd RU - Delyria Paul Twilight Starr, NMGRAPriscilla Toya Bouvier, NMGRA 1st RU - Duchess Zwiers, KSGRA 2nd RU - Ionna Doublwide, AGRAJorge Sanchez, NSGRAScottsdale, AZJohn Beck2020 / 1CancelledCandy PrattChicken Nugget, TGRA 1st RU - Mahlon Lovell, AGRA 2nd RU - Russel Waisanen, NSGRANicole Reighlie Whorez, MGRANikki Starr, AGRA 1st RU - Bootsy CarMichael, NGRA 2nd RU - Alexis Cole, TGRAKade Jackwell, MGRA 1st RU - Jesse N Cider Morecoxx, TGRA2021 / 3Candy PrattChicken Nugget, TGRA 1st RU - Mahlon Lovell, AGRA 2nd RU - Russel Waisanen, NSGRANicole Reighlie Whorez, MGRANikki Starr, AGRA 1st RU - Bootsy CarMichael, NGRA 2nd RU - Alexis Cole, TGRAKade Jackwell, MGRA 1st RU - Jesse N Cider Morecoxx, TGRA2022 / 12DentonCandy PrattRyan Knop, AGRA 1st RU - Cameron Ticey, NMGRA 2nd RU - Danny Love Perez, CGRAJade Fauver, NSGRA 1st RU - Shannon McKenzie, AGRACharis Loren, CGRA 1st RU - Celeste Powers, AGRADakota Aire Paris, UGRAEl Reno, OK2023 / 11RenoBrian HelanderWeston Crow-Tucker, CGRASelena Whorez, TGRA 1st RU - Madame Fellatia Monroe, AGRA 2nd RU - Tessie Taylor, GPRARocket Coxx, CGRAEl Reno, OK2024 / Grand RapidsBrian HelanderChris Aguilar, NGRA 1st RU - Andy Siekkinen, GSGRA 2nd RU - Sebastian Black Starr, AGRAChristina Miner, CGRA 1st RU - Janelle King-Neptune, GPRA 2nd RU - Luna Starr Black, AGRAAurora Gayheart, NMGRA 1st RU - Southyrn St. John Comfort, GPRA 2nd RU - Miranda Rites Ticey, AGRARyder Gently, AGRAEl Reno, OK2025 / DenverBrian HelanderBrandon Bayes, NMGRA 1st RU - Jay R Gayheart, ASGRA 2nd RU - Kirk Wylie, TGRAKami Boles, GPRA