Posted on 04/08/2007 10:30:03 PM PDT by Baladas
Gay rodeo moves from Del Mar to East County – and some locals have discouraging words
By Anne Krueger STAFF WRITER
April 28, 2006
LAKESIDE – The gay rodeo is coming to this East County town, and some locals aren't too happy about it.
In many ways, this weekend's event at the Lakeside rodeo grounds will be like any other rodeo, with attractions like steer-riding and barrel racing. Then there are the offbeat additions, like dressing a goat in men's underwear.
The Golden State Gay Rodeo Association, which runs the event, is bringing it to Lakeside for the first time after 17 years at the Del Mar fairgrounds. The fairgrounds were booked, and rent is cheaper in Lakeside, said Lewis Sanders, president of the San Diego chapter of the rodeo association.
In semi-rural Lakeside, which some residents call a redneck community, the rodeo has been a hot topic of conversation. Lee Perry, owner of Annie Oakley's restaurant, has heard patrons say they don't want gays in town.
“I'm not a hatemonger. But there's a lot of people in this town who are,” she said.
Still, Perry said she believes the grumbling is just talk.
“If a group of gays walked in and had breakfast, I don't think they'd say anything,” she said.
The festivities
The 2006 Coors Light San Diego Rodeo kicks off with a party at 9 p.m. tonight at Hamburger Mary's and Kickers, 308 University Ave. in Hillcrest. Rodeo events begin at 9 a.m. tomorrow and Sunday at the Lakeside Rodeo Grounds, 12584 Mapleview St., Lakeside. Admission is $15 each day. For more information, check the Web site at sandiegorodeo.com or call (619) 298-4708.
Sanders said the people who are upset about the rodeo are just chronic complainers.
“If you look at the culture of the people who live in this area, they are more conservative, non-open-minded people,” he said. “You take it with a grain of salt.”
One of the most popular and dangerous events is the wild drag race. A female member of a team must coax a steer out of its chute. A male team member must get the steer to the middle of the arena. The third team member – either a male or female dressed in drag – must climb on the steer and get it back across the arena.
“They get dumped and thrown and dragged and stepped on,” said Steve Wollert, a Del Cerro resident and this year's Mr. International Gay Rodeo Association.
Some Lakeside residents had already heard of the gay rodeo and reacted with disgust when asked about it.
“I think the gays should just stay away and leave me alone,” said David Blaine, 67, as he sat outside Annie Oakley's wearing a National Rifle Association cap. “This is redneck country. They're taking chances.”
Eli Martinez, a driver for a local feed store in Lakeside, blamed last year's film “Brokeback Mountain” for popularizing events like this.
“Just because of that lousy movie, they decide to come out,” he said.
But Suzann Malaspina, a clerk at the feed store, said the rodeo will be good for Lakeside businesses.
“Go for it, I say,” Malaspina said.
Regardless of the reception, Wollert said gay rodeo has gotten a boost from “Brokeback Mountain.”
“Once again, it's cool to be a cowboy,” he said.
The movie has also brought media outlets to gay rodeos around the country, including Comedy Central's “The Daily Show” and the Bravo network. Wollert said a crew from Jay Leno's “Tonight Show” will be in Lakeside.
Proceeds from the rodeo will benefit the Hillcrest History Guild, a charity seeking to preserve the history of the San Diego community.
AdvertisementAnd Don Hickle, president of the El Capitan Stadium Association, which manages the rodeo grounds, said the rent money for the rodeo will be used to benefit Lakeside youth, as are all rodeo proceeds. Hickle said the rodeo organizers obtained all necessary permits and met insurance requirements.
He said private security guards will be at the rodeo, as they are at other events. Sheriff's Lt. Valerie Bickle said two sheriff's vehicles will also be nearby.
Some locals complained that the sign outside the Lakeside grounds only referred to the “Golden State Rodeo,” leaving the word “gay” out of the title. Sanders said the rodeo organizers didn't want to flaunt that.
“We don't feel it's necessary to be in people's faces,” he said. “We're not trying to make a statement. We're just trying to put on a rodeo.”
http://www.homorodeo.com./
F A G S !!!!
Where’s the bare back event?
I've heard they've out lawed cock fighting at these events..is it true?
Moist in Minneapolis
Uhh....why do you want to know?
A sweeping synopsis of the gay lifestyle!
Steer-riding? Granted I haven't been to a rodeo in years, but I sure don't recall this event. Or is the word "bull" too un-PC for a gay rodeo?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.