Ep 7. Gay Rodeo

This is Life with Lisa Ling season 1 episode 7, titled "Gay Rodeo," delves into the world of the International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA), which was founded in 1985 to provide a rodeo platform for LGBTQ+ individuals.

Lisa Ling interviews various participants and organizers of IGRA events, including cowboys and cowgirls with diverse backgrounds and experiences. The episode explores the notion of creating a safe space within the often-heteronormative rodeo culture, and how the IGRA provides an arena for members of the LGBTQ+ community to express themselves freely and authentically.

One of the participants interviewed is Ty Stewart, a male bull rider who shares his experience of growing up in Texas and becoming a rodeo champion before coming out as gay. He notes how participating in the IGRA circuit has allowed him to be true to himself without fear of judgment or discrimination.

Other participants highlighted in the episode include a lesbian couple who own a livestock transport company and participate in the rodeo as team ropers, and a transgender man named Fred, who shares his experiences of coming out, transitioning, and finding acceptance within the IGRA community.

Ling also explores the integral role that the IGRA has played in raising awareness and funds for LGBTQ+ charities. The organization has raised over $2.5 million for various charities, including the AIDS Project and the Trevor Project.

Throughout the episode, Ling provides a thoughtful and nuanced look at the often-stereotyped world of rodeo culture and how the IGRA has provided a welcoming and supportive space for members of the LGBTQ+ community to express themselves and connect with others who share similar experiences.

"Gay Rodeo" is a fascinating and moving exploration of an often-overlooked community and the ways in which it has navigated challenges and found acceptance and support within a traditional and often conservative sport.