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pink weddings magazine » 7
a
romantc moment can take place
anywhere. Standing ahead in the queue,
you see he’s a litle taller than you. His
black cowboy hat has the edges turned
just right. When he happens to turn, you
notce that his eyes linger longer than a
quick glance. Then you see that he looks back again and
smiles. You feel a blush that doesn’t happen from every
smile you get.
The queue moves forward, intruding on the moment.
You feel a wave of disappointment, so you look away to
escape. The rodeo grounds are filling up with men and
women. and you can’t help but notce that many of these
rodeo fans are walking in pairs. Paired off already... You
sigh, knowing that you are here by yourself.
You hear a voice to the side, so you instantly let your
thoughts go and look around. That cowboy with the black
hat has le his place and is standing next to you! The two
of you exchange ‘hey’s and he notces your confused look.
He tells you there is no rush, the tcket queue is moving
along fine. You realise that he wants to chat – with you!
By the tme you are greeted at the tcket counter,
you know each other’s names and he knows that this is
your first tme to the desert and the rodeo. He has been
to quite a few rodeos, since he lives here in the
Southwestern US. a er fumbling with your entry tcket,
you wait for him to finish paying for his. He smiles again
– was that his blush this tme? as the two of you follow
the crowd up to the arena, you have a quick flash – you
are now one of those pairs of men and women, enjoying
the desert sun and warmth with a new friend.
a romantc moment can take place anywhere. men
and women have been travelling, making friends and
sharing romantc moments for years at gay rodeos. In
north america, gay rodeo started in 1985 and has grown
to become the second most popular annual series of
rodeo events in the americas. Gay, lesbian, bisexual and
transgender people have combined their love for the
Western lifestyle with a way to raise funds for charitable
organisatons. Rodeos promote their sport while serving
as a popular way to come together and support their
communites.
The rodeo season begins
early, in the warm desert
Southwest near Phoenix,
Arizona, as The Arizona
Gay Rodeo Associa on
hosts the Road Runner
Regional Rodeo during
the Presidents’ Day
weekend holiday.
next year’s will begin on Friday 17 February, when
rodeo contestants from across the United States and
canada will bring along their horses and equipment
and meet up to register for competition. on Saturday
and Sunday, cowboys and cowgirls will compete in
‘rough stock’ events like junior bull riding, bareback
bronc riding, and chute dogging. other rodeo events
include calf roping, speed events on horseback, and gay
rodeo’s unique contribution of camp events. Watching
tough cowboys and cowgirls camp it up for steer
decorating, goat dressing, and wild drag racing is
always a crowd favourite.
There will also be many kinds of Western entertain-
ment throughout the weekend. a live country music
competton is planned, along with two-stepping and
line dance performances, with plenty of open dance
tme, and there’ll be enough
Rodeo Romance
con nued over