Gay Cowboys and Washington D.C.

Rugged, butch, and riding, gay cowboys have gotten a lot of attention since Brokeback Mountain was introduced in movie theaters two years ago.

Though there are gay rodeos annually throughout the United States and Canada, and all under the auspices of the International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA), one in particular takes place right in Washington D.C.

The Atlantic States Gay Rodeo Association's (ASGRA) annual Atlantic Stampede, held this year September 7-9, is sure to entice those with even the most modest interest in cowboys, country western music, or just plain having fun, and "fun" is the active verb.

"First, you do not have to be a cowboy to come to the rodeo," says Patrick Hunter, ASGRA's PR Chairman, "because although the participants might be gay cowboys and cowgirls, most of the people in the stands are there to take in the excitement." People come from as far north as up-state New York, and as far south as Atlanta, Georgia to ASGRA's rodeo, and participants come from even farther. Events include your regular rough-and-tumble bull riding, calf roping, and barrel racing, but there are also "camp" events, like Goat Dressing, were two teams race to put a pair of undies on, you got it, a goat.

Hunter says that even though the rodeo is the center event, running on Saturday and Sunday, the parties and "saloons" that take place during the weekend's nights are tons of fun, with two-step dancing, camp-performers, Rodeo Royalty, and hundreds of boot-wearing, tight-denim baring broncos, all out to have a great time.

Hunter tells us, "the night events are a lot of fun, and people within the D.C. area, even though they may not make it to the rodeo itself, come to these parties." These events include Friday night's Stampede Saloon, and Saturday's not-to-be-missed Harvest Moon Ball.

You gay parents, uncles, and aunts might want to introduce your kids to rodeo at ASGRA's Stampede, because the event is not only "Family" friendly, it's family friendly, including a number of newly added children's rodeo events; the Stick Horse Race, where kids race around the arena on stick horses and the Piggy Back Flag Race, where an adult piggy backs a kid; retrieves a flag from a bucket and tries to place the flag in another bucket accross the arena in the best time. Winners in each event will receive $25.

"This year, we want to get some of those folks who bring their youngins not only watching the rodeo but also involved as well." Hunter says. "Both these events are a fun safe way to give them the opportunity to really be part of the rodeo excitement inside the arena."

The rodeo's host hotel is the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill, and ASGRA has worked a discount room rate for those rodeo-goers who want to take in the full weekend. For more information on the Stampede gay rodeo, Click Here!

Photos copyrighted by and courtesy of
Adam Kirkpatrick.