October 2nd

10-02-1976 The first gay rodeo is held as a charity fundraising event at the Washoe County Fairgrounds in Reno, Nevada. It was organized by Phil Ragsdale, regarded as the “Father of Gay Rodeo.” By 1985 it became the International Gay Rodeo Association, with rodeos held throughout the United States and Canada. They are the largest group specifically welcoming lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender as well as heterosexual participants and spectators.