The World Gay Rodeo Finals this year came back to where gay rodeos first started nearly 50 years ago: Reno. 

Since that first gay rodeo at the Washoe County Fairgrounds in 1976, the world finals have evolved into a celebration of diversity, bringing together LGBTQ+ riders, straight allies and fans from across North America. 

Roger Bergmann, who served as the International Gay Rodeo Association president from 1993 to 1995 and has been involved in Reno gay rodeos since 1980, says that while gay rodeos were once primarily a safe space for LGBTQ+ participants, they are now open and welcoming to everyone.

“Today it’s important because of diversity,” Bergmann said. “We have straights competing.  Husbands and wives compete in our rodeos, and some of them are here today in our final rodeo.”  

Many events that have historically been male or female competitions are open to people of all gender identities. Stephanie Malone, a straight ally, has been competing in gay rodeos for years. 

“This is a great place where if you want to try riding a steer, this is the place to do it,” Malone says. “I went and got my horse and entered and just made so many friends, and after that they became family, and I just kind of kept entering.”

The first gay rodeo took place on Oct. 2, 1976. Organized by Reno resident Phil Ragsdale as a fundraiser for the Senior Citizens Annual Thanksgiving Day feed, it quickly became more than a charity event, transforming into a place for LGBTQ+ cowboys, cowgirls and rural folks to express themselves and celebrate Western culture.

Reno hosted gay rodeos for the next eight years, drawing more than 10,000 attendees annually. By 1984, the movement had spread to states such as California, Colorado and Texas. This paved the way for the creation of the International Gay Rodeo Association, which continues to host competitions all over North America today.