San Diego is headed for a rodeo.
Wait, wasn’t there just one last month? Yes, but this is a new/old one. It’s the San Diego Gay Rodeo.
The first San Diego Gay Rodeo was held in 1989 in Lakeside. And the event continued through 2010. Participation waned, but that was 15 years ago. With renewed vigor, the San Diego Gay Rodeo Club is harnessing the challenge to bring the San Diego Gay Rodeo back to San Diego. Organizers are targeting the summer of 2026 for the event, with Lakeside a likely destination.
The social climate today has changed.
Witness the popularity of country themes in films and TV: “Yellowstone”, “Land Man” and Luke Bryan’s “It’s All Country.” Of course, the global affection for Western wear has always been in style. The industry boasts $99 billion dollars in revenue. So, the dedicated chapter of the San Diego Gay Rodeo Club is staking its claim to organize, fundraise and promote the San Diego Gay Rodeo.
What exactly makes the Gay Rodeo different?
It embraces the highlights of rodeo while bucking the trend in exciting new ways.
The first U.S.Gay Rodeo was held in Reno in 1976 and raised funds for Thanksgiving dinner for a home for the elderly. Other rodeos made charitable contributions to HIV research and muscular dystrophy.
Spectators can experience the thrill of seeing contests like: Bull Riding, Steer Riding, Barrel Race, Ranch Saddle Bronc Riding, Team Roping, Chute Dogging, Pole Bending, Calf Roping on Foot, and Mounted Breakaway Roping.
The budget for the San Diego Gay Rodeo is $150,000 to $200,000.
So the San Diego Gay Rodeo Club is barreling towards that goal by organizing multiple fundraising activities: Events like barbeques at MO’s and the Loft. Also, pool tournaments at Pec’s.
SDGRC Chairperson Tessa Trujillo, wears a lot of hats: She’s Mx GSRA royalty too and she’s taken the reins to oversee the recruitment of volunteers, educate newcomers, and definitely more fundraising. It’s a tough row to hoe. But she says, “It’s a lot of work, but I’m good at it.”
The San Diego Gay Rodeo seeks to empower the LGBTQ+ community with its Mission: To educate & foster members to become proficient individuals who provide charitable fundraising events & activities, further growth & enjoyment of the country western lifestyle. And through friendly social interaction & collectively promote amateur rodeo through participation, competition & recognition. To be a support organization with the community & surrounding areas, barring prejudices regarding gender, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, race, age, or disability.
For more information on the San Diego Gay Rodeo Club, visit: sdgrc.org and san.diego.gay.rodeo [Instagram].
(Courtesy images)
