Drag queen Tequila Mockingbird leads a goat into the arena to prepare for the goat dressing event at the Palm Springs Hot Rodeo in Banning, California.Caleb Kaufman
Drag queen Tequila Mockingbird leads a goat into the arena to prepare for the goat dressing event at the Palm Springs Hot Rodeo in Banning, California.Caleb Kaufman
In early May, the small city of Banning, California, hosted the Palm Springs Hot Rodeo. The competition, which has occurred most years for the past 50, salutes the homoeroticism of rodeo culture. The four-day event—an official stop on the International Gay Rodeo Association circuit—features traditional rodeo events like steer wrestling and calf roping, along with more whimsical activities like a wild drag race, in which a person in drag rides a steer while their teammates guide it, and goat dressing, in which a pair attempts to put tighty-whities on a goat as quickly as possible.
All events are open to any gender—men can barrel race and women can bull ride. “A lot of gay people can’t be incorporated into the other rodeo world,” contestant Savannah Smith told me. “You can do whatever you want here,” she added, “and everyone here is supportive.”
This year, the festive event took place against increasing attacks on queer rights. Two days after the rodeo ended, the Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration’s ban on transgender soldiers in the US military. It is unclear what will be targeted next; some fear the overturning of Obergefell v. Hodges, the landmark 2015 decision legalizing gay marriage. Against this backdrop, the Hot Rodeo serves as an important reminder of the resilience of queer culture in America, with its inclusive celebration of LGBTQ athleticism and joy.
Curt Black and Bob Bayne set up contestant registration at the Tool Shed, a gay bar in Palm Springs, 30 minutes away from Banning, where the Hot Rodeo takes place.Alexander Saites partners with Matthew Garcia during the rodeo’s dance contest.Curt Black shows off his Palm Springs Hot Rodeo Outstanding Volunteer buckle.Zac Rogen, a Hot Rodeo participant, says gay rodeos help keep queer representation in Western culture.Brian Helander warms up his horse before competing in the Hot Rodeo.Bob Bayne and Daniel Guevara participate in the rodeo’s “riderless horse” tradition. The riderless horse symbolizes those involved with the International Gay Rodeo Association who have since died, particularly those who died from complications with AIDS.Rodeo director Sylvia Mower takes off her hat during the riderless horse procession.David Lawson and Greg Begay compete in the steer decorating event. The goal is for a team of two to tie a ribbon on a steer’s tail as quickly as possible. Begay, who has been involved with gay rodeos for years, says, “It’s always been my goal in life to rodeo, and it just so happens that I’m gay.”Brian Contratto and Gunner Sizemore compete in the goat dressing event. The goal is to catch a goat and place a pair of underwear on it as quickly as possible.Brian Contratto shows off a tooth that broke in half during his steer riding event.Katie Shaw and Pepe Lozada compete in the team roping event.Love Bailey, the rodeo’s community grand marshal, performs during the grand entry.Chris Otten holds his cowbell, painted with a pride flag, after competing in the bull riding event.Rodeo contestants Steven Housley and Scott Reed pose for a portrait. The Palm Springs Hot Rodeo is the first gay rodeo Reed has participated in. “It’s the most welcoming group I’ve ever been around,” he says, adding, “Everyone here is equal.”Two men dance together at the Dancing Under the Stars party hosted by the Palm Springs Hot Rodeo at Oscar’s, a bar in downtown Palm Springs.
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