An exhibit of gay rodeo archives from 1976 to the present day. We will enter the 51st year of gay rodeos on October 2, 2026. Since 2019, the Gay & Lesbian Rodeo Heritage Foundation has supported a traveling exhibit covering approximately 74,000 miles to present a total of 38 exhibits of gay rodeo archives across the U.S., and Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Each exhibit has varied in size and content based on the available space and the location. From 3 tables up to 30 tables, up to 320 square feet of poster board displays, and 120 linear feet of overhead flags and banners. This exhibit will cover the entire 50 years of gay rodeo history with a strong presence of L.A. Rodeo memorabilia.
This exhibit is intended for all audiences. It begins in the spring of 1976, when Phil Ragsdale, Emperor I of the Silver Dollar Court in Reno Nevada, came up with the idea for a gay rodeo as a fundraiser for Muscular Dystrophy. In following years funds were also donated to the local Senior Citizens and several AIDS organizations. The very first gay rodeo had about 120 spectators, but everyone had fun and it grew to become the National Reno Gay Rodeo with over 11,0000 spectators in 1984, which was its last year. These early rodeos gave encouragement to contestants and spectators from other states. Colorado organized its gay rodeo association (CGRA) in 1981 and had its first gay rodeo in 1983, followed by Texas (TGRA) in 1984, and California with the Golden State Gay Rodeo Association (GSGRA) in 1985. These three states and Arizona (AGRA) met in Denver in September 1985 to form the International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA) which has had as many as 21 rodeos each year in the early 1990’s and is currently at 13 rodeos in 2026.
The opening reception is Saturday, October 3rd, 1-3pm. The exhibition will be on view from Oct 3- Nov. 1 Thurs-Sun 1-7 pm.
Participant Bios
Roger Bergmann attended the National Reno Gay Rodeos (NRGR) from 1980 through the last rodeo in 1984. In March1985, Roger attended California’s First Gay Rodeo at the L.A. Equestrian Center in Griffith Park. That September, Roger attended the first convention of the International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA) in Denver. In 1986, Roger became a Certified Rodeo Judge and traveled the IGRA circuit judging rodeos for the next 16 years. In 1993, Roger was elected to his first of 3 terms as the IGRA’s President. Roger is currently the IGRA’s Archives Committee Chair, and President of the Gay & Lesbian Rodeo Heritage Foundation.
50+ Years of Gay Rodeo Archives is organized by Roger Bergmann as part of the 2026 Circa: Queer Histories Festival, presented by One Institute.
One Gallery is an art gallery and cultural programming space operated by One Institute, the oldest active LGBTQ+ organization in the country. Located in the heart of West Hollywood, One Gallery is dedicated to hosting archival and contemporary art installations that showcase LGBTQ+ history. Through partnerships with established and emerging community partners, the gallery also serves as a low-cost, multi-purpose space for community meetings, creative workshops, classes, and other mission-aligned programming.