JANUARY 6, 2006
lUStlOUt 21
GAY ROCHO IS HOT FOR PUSSIES
' The Pacific Northwest Gay Rodeo Association wants to redefine all things
cowboy for Portlanders and beyond.
PNWGRA is now in its third year as the International Gay Rodeo
Association’s only three-state association—encompassing Washington, Idaho
and Oregon. It began in 1992 as the Idaho (¡ay Rodeo Association, but lead-
ers soon realized that most of their members were from Seattle and Portland.
As a result, three years ago the association broadened its geographic footprint
HOW TO CHESS LIKE A COWBOY:
•A SHOPPEH’S GUILE
and incorporated members from all three states into a single rodeo group.
Gene Bunting, the recently re-elected two-term president of PNWGRA,
hails from Albany, located about 40 minutes south of Portland. He is leading
a new era for PNWGRA—an organization that covers a territory larger than
California’s Golden State Gay Rodeo Association and the Dallas-based Texas
Gay Rodeo Association.
For those who have not been to a gay rodeo and wonder if it’s the same as
WEAR WRANGLERS.
The official jeans of all cowboys
CHAPS
started out in the Old West, and while they are not neces
"regular" rodeo, let us be yourguide. Some believe gay rodeo, by definition,
are available just about everywhere. If you wear Abercrombie &
sary, they are cool. Chaps must be wont with shorts or jeans—no bare
must be a less competitive kind of rodeo—a wannabe rodeo. After inspect
Fitch or Guess jeans, people will point and laugh at you. No, really,
asses hanging out, please! Remember, these are cowboy chaps, not
ing the stock at a gay rodeo, you’ll be astounded to learn these are not sissy
they will.
leatherman chaps. /And if you ride a horse with these things on and no
seat in your pants, you’ll really understand the true meaning of
bulls—they are exactly the same as regular rodeos. The bulls stand as tall as
a man's shoulder and weigh a minimum of 1,200 pounds—with some weigh
COUNTRY SHIRTS
are essential. The best are vintage
“chapped.” Consequently, they should be brown (not black) and bro
ing closer to a ton. (That’s a lot of bull?) And, as with regular rodeo, broken
style shirts available at great thrift stores and resale stores like
ken in—not perfect Harley-Davidson shiny leather. So, be warned that
bones, massive bruises and other injuries are commonplace.
Buffalo Exchange, 1420 S.E. 37th Ave. and 1036 W. Bumside St.,
Spartacus, .300 W. 12th Ave. and 155.36 S.E. 82nd Ave. in Clackamas,
"(¡ay rodeo is every bit as competitive as regular rodeo,” Bunting says.
or Red Light, 3590 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd, and 1111 S.W. Stark St.
doesn’t specialize in these chaps, although it does have nice bridles
“The stock is the same, the events are largely the same—and people will get
Both have lots of cool Western shirts for cowgirls and cowboys.
(and other horse paraphernalia) for at-home use. Rather, go to
a real sense of what rodeo is all about.”
Remember, wear them tight and tucked in.
Langlitz Leather. 244.3 S.E. Division St. They’ve long served both the
rodeo and leather communities and can help you get your chaps right.
COWBOY HATS
HISTORY OF GAY RODEO
are de rigueur at all rodeos—and just look
cool even at the hottest martini bar. Good places to buy hats include
COWBOY BOOTS
Gay rodeo has been around for a long time. Created in 1976 in Nevada,
Culpepper & Co., 11078 N.W. Frontage Road in Troutdale;
and more than 2,000 styles can be found at American Boot
the Reno (¡ay Rodeo was started as a fund-raiser for muscular dystrophy. Most
Boothill Western Wear, 2139 N.E. Cornell Road in Hillsboro; and
Company, 11652 S.W. Pacific Coast Highway in Tigard and 3205 S.W.
gay rodeos generate money from gate receipts and sponsors that is then fun-
the Portland Outdoor Store. 304 S.W. Third Ave. There are lots
Cedar Hills Blvd, in Beaverton. For fancier cowboy boots—and I
neled back to community organizations. The PNWGRA constitution requires
of styles—from Stetson and suede to straw and leather. Black is still
mean boots so fabu that you’ll want to keep them out of the cow’
it to donate 30 percent of all proceeds to Northwest charities.
for Bad Barts, and white still represents the Lone Ranger. Dress
poo—visit Imelda’s Designer Shoes. 14.31 S.E. 37th Ave. Wearing
the rights boots will really let you kick up your heels in style! ©
Cimtinued on Page 22
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