Gay rodeos, which started in the 1970s, aimed to provide inclusive spaces and fund LGBTIQ+ causes. Today, they are the ones with the biggest hurdles to overcome. Fabulous Arizona gay rodeo is the second largest in US. For 40 years, it’s been an artistic gem and community lifeblood of this dynamic place. New political tensions and a surge in violence have compromised the safety and inclusivity that these events have historically intended to foster.
The Arizona gay rodeo started in 1986. Richard, owner of Phoenix’s largest hattery, smiles as he counted himself as one of just two vendors at the very first event. As you might imagine, over the years, Richard has seen a lot of change, both in the rodeo and in the world around him. He thinks back on his experiences and is open about the violence he has experienced as a result of his allyship with the LGBTIQ+ community. Just last week, his store was targeted by vandals. They broke down the front door and wrote a homophobic slur in spray paint on the wall.
Richard described a close call with law enforcement. Some dude from Texas attacked me in the parking lot trying to kick my ass for not agreeing to say I supported Donald Trump.
Ever since Trump’s re-election, as Richard said, they’ve witnessed a deeply alarming spike in violence directed at LGBTIQ+ folks. Boy, how the political landscape has changed. Yet Arizona State Senator John Kavanagh has introduced an incredible 73 bills classified as “anti-LGBTQI” over his almost two decades in office. Right now, there are 575 anti-LGBTQ bills proposed and tracked nationwide, with more than 400 of those advancing through state legislatures.
Against this backdrop of hostility, Moss Scavenger is participating in Arizona’s gay rodeo for the first time. As someone who identifies as gender fluid and identifies as a “cowbabe,” Moss is adding a new element to the event. By night, they compete in rodeo competitions all over North America as a queer, non-binary rodeo athlete.
There are a ton of elder gays, as we refer to them, Moss said that the rodeo community in general is very diverse. They all endured years of hardship. Older generations have more of a challenge wrapping their heads around the idea of gender identity.
Moss underscores the importance of these spaces like gay rodeos over the past few years’ political climate. “All the queer communities in the US right now are looking for more community to build up,” they remarked, emphasizing the importance of solidarity amid increasing threats.
Yet the gay rodeo community had its own internal divisions. Participants hold a wide range of opinions on trans rights and the acceptance of gender fluidity. In light of all this, events like these are still important to provide a welcoming and safe space for all LGBTIQ+ identifying people, building acceptance, understanding and solidarity.
Safety inside the gates Moss stressed that one of the reasons so many compete at this event is because it’s safe within the gates. He continued Drucker’s theme that these environments provide sanctuary against outside hostility.
The folks behind the Arizona gay rodeo are clearly committed to their cause. Through storytelling and advocacy, they work to create a connective tissue that joins queer communities around the country. They work hard to make sure that their participants are safe while at the same time bringing in money for very important community needs. Richard remembered the first protests against gay rodeos pretty clearly. He explained, “The very first rodeo we went to had activists marching with 10-foot-tall signs and banging on our vehicles, yelling every profanity you could think of.”
