Arizona Gay Rodeo offers an inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ community

LAVEEN It resembled a rodeo in many ways, with events such as bull riding and team roping.

It was the Wild Drag Race, steer decorating, goat dressing that made this seem unique.

The Arizona Gay Rodeo at Corona Ranch & Rodeo Grounds in Arizona was a major disappointment. However, the community was determined to provide a safe environment for all Western enthusiasts.

“We have to keep the country and Western atmosphere alive, said founding member John Beck, who has competed in all 13 events in his nearly-40-year tenure. It keeps kids engaged, keeps them away from drugs, keeps their brains straight, and keeps them in good shape athletically, since many schools don’t have classes.

Prescott established what it calls The Worlds Oldest Rodeo in July 1888. The sport of rodeo has since spread to other communities all over the globe.

That includes the LGBTQ+ community.

The Arizona Gay Rodeo Association was established in 1984 when Arizona became fifth state to host gay rodeos. Along with California and Texas, Arizona joined in 1985 the International Gay Rodeo Association.

The Arizona event began as a fundraiser, but it has since grown to be a larger program that spans two days.

After a former partner introduced him in 1987, Tim Smith, Arena Director and Chute Coordinator, joined the Texas Gay Rodeo Association to be the gay rodeo’s director. Smith competed in the rodeo events but also in the drag elements. In 1994, Smith was Miss International Gay Rodeo as Miss Tessy. Smith believes that the gay rodeo provides a welcoming environment which has enabled him to find people who are open to him.

Smith stated that camaraderie is different. The best thing about the camaraderie is that it is open to both men and women. Anyone who comes in to this is amazed at how friendly it is. Some of my best friends have been with me for more than 30 years and actually came from the association.

Smith’s dedication to the community earned him induction into the International Gay Rodeo Hall of Fame for 2019.

“It was one of the biggest honors, Smith said as he held his Hall of Fame belt buckle.

The Gay Rodeo’s most important aspect is the community. The Gay Rodeo provides a safe and family-friendly environment for the LGBTQ+ community. It also gives back to the communities that support it.

Kody Misinco, a long-time Arizona Gay Rodeo fan, stated, “I believe that community engagement allows the IGRA or AGRA to bring in different nonprofits throughout local communities.”

Although the Arizona Gay Rodeo relies heavily on the community that it serves, it’s not exclusive.

David Limon has been a cowboy a year and a half. He competed in the gay rodeo circuit for the first year this year in both steer riding and bull riding. Limon was a Marine Corps veteran for six years and found rough stock as a way of adjusting to normal life.

Limon was not afraid to take risks and entered the dangerous sport with a passion in patriotism, and a go-big or go home mentality.

Limon said that it was hard to get back to normal life after I had left the Marine Corps. So I had to find something that I was wanting to be passionate about because I didn’t want to go back to the military, because if you go back you basically failed to succeed outside the military. So one day a video about bull riding pulled up on YouTube and ever since then I’ve been hooked.

Limon is not a member of the LGBTQ+ community, but he believes that this could make his participation at the gay rodeo more meaningful.

At first it was just for laughs and giggles because I’m not gay, Limon said. But I started reading more into the history of the gay rodeo, and it’s an actual legit circuit. I’m trying to break the barriers and show gay cowboys and straight cowboys, we all get along and compete in the same arena. It’s a gay rodeo, and those bulls don’t know it.

Limon was able accept the community and get the same welcoming feeling back from it, but not everyone in his circle felt the same.

I have friends that didn’t want to come because its a gay rodeo, but I guarantee you they wouldn’t survive, Limon said about the competition.

Limon plans to compete until he can no longer. He was 25 when he suffered two knee injuries, multiple areas of pain, and a head injury. Limon shares the beliefs of other cowboys and feels when you get on your final bull, you’ll know thats your final bull.

No matter how long he competes he has been able keep the legacy of finding yourself within a community that Arizona Gay Rodeo has fostered.

Its all inclusive, there’s no hate, Misinco said. It allows trans people to be represented and has physical representation.