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Oklahoma's gay rodeo illustrates an important social phenomenon
United States | Bucking the trend
Oklahoma’s gay rodeo illustrates an important social phenomenon
We’re just not quite sure what it is yet
2019 at the IGRA finals. Gay rodeo, USA.
Nov 17th 2022 | EL RENO, OKLAHOMA
Dubbed “the puppy” by the eldest of his three “husbands” Ryan Knop looks anything but timid wrestling a 200 kilo steer to the dirt at the World Gay Rodeo Finals in El Reno, Oklahoma. After leaving his Mormon hometown, Mr Knop met the trio—who six months later invited him to join their relationship—at a Santa Fe contest. Gay rodeo became a haven for the foursome. “You may be burly or you may be pretty but here we wear cowboy on our hearts,” he says.
Off a dusty two-lane road and nestled between fields of winter wheat, the arena fills up with men in flannel shirts and fishnet stockings. A woman with a tight drawl plates up pulled-pork baked potatoes and jalapeño brisket nachos doused in cheese the colour of apricots. A Budweiser banner advertises cold beer with the tagline “Thanks for coming out”. The rodeo kicks off with a prayer and the national anthem. Most events are classic—riders cling to bucking bulls and ropers on horseback snare calves. But some are spicier. A team of two dash towards a tethered goat. One grabs its legs while the other tries to yank a pair of tighty whities onto its hind quarters.
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Oklahoma’s gay rodeo illustrates an important social phenomenon
We’re just not quite sure what it is yet
2019 at the IGRA finals. Gay rodeo, USA.
Nov 17th 2022 | EL RENO, OKLAHOMA
Dubbed “the puppy” by the eldest of his three “husbands” Ryan Knop looks anything but timid wrestling a 200 kilo steer to the dirt at the World Gay Rodeo Finals in El Reno, Oklahoma. After leaving his Mormon hometown, Mr Knop met the trio—who six months later invited him to join their relationship—at a Santa Fe contest. Gay rodeo became a haven for the foursome. “You may be burly or you may be pretty but here we wear cowboy on our hearts,” he says.
Off a dusty two-lane road and nestled between fields of winter wheat, the arena fills up with men in flannel shirts and fishnet stockings. A woman with a tight drawl plates up pulled-pork baked potatoes and jalapeño brisket nachos doused in cheese the colour of apricots. A Budweiser banner advertises cold beer with the tagline “Thanks for coming out”. The rodeo kicks off with a prayer and the national anthem. Most events are classic—riders cling to bucking bulls and ropers on horseback snare calves. But some are spicier. A team of two dash towards a tethered goat. One grabs its legs while the other tries to yank a pair of tighty whities onto its hind quarters.
Already have an account? Log in