Texas gay rodeo association
Over the weekend in Denton, the North Texas Fair and Rodeo hosted a groundbreaking event—a homosexual rodeo show that drew crowds from all over the state.
The Texas Gay Rodeo Association (TGRA) held its 41st Texas Tradition Rodeo. For many spectators, the display was not only a thrilling demonstrate of horsemanship and rodeo skills but also an crucial step towards greater inclusivity and acceptance in the traditionally conservative world of rodeo.
NBC 5's photojournalist Kennedy DeRaedt spoke with cowboys, cowgirls, and rodeo enthusiasts who have been involved with the show for years.
Wade Earp has been a member of TGRA for over 30 years. His long list of accomplishments includes winning the “All-Around Cowboy” title multiple times, several event belt buckles, and royalty titles for TGRA and the International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA).
“I think that a lot of people don’t picture the two together, ‘gay’ and ‘rodeo,’” said Earp. “With our rodeo, it’s open and accepting to everybody and anybody.”
“When I was 4 years elderly, I told my mom I knew I was other . I didn't realize what that meant, but I knew I was different,” Earp said.
Earp’s first partner of five years passed away
2025
Future dates are tentative. Check back nearby the end of 2028 to corroborate the event is still scheduled
January, 2028
IGRA University TBD
February, 2028
March 2028
None Yet
April, 2028
May, 2028
June, 2028
July, 2028
August, 2028
September, 2028
Red River, Rodeo School()
TBD
October, 2028
World Gay Rodeo Finals(IGRA)
El Reno, OK
November, 2028
Future dates are tentative. Check help near the cease of 2026 to confirm the event is still scheduled
Future dates are tentative. Check back adjacent the end of 2026 to establish the event is still scheduled
October, 2030
First posted Dec 24, 2013
Last update Jul 18, 2025
History of TGRA
From the Texas Homosexual Rodeo Association website
The Texas Homosexual Rodeo Association was founded in the summer of 1983. November 1984 heralded the first annual Texas Gay Rodeo near Houston, beginning the tradition of the TGRA Fall rodeo, which continues to this day. TGRA is a member of the International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA), which governs all sanctioned rodeos. Chapters sprouted up across Texas over the years, and currently there are five chapters located in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio.
In 2000, TGRA started a Spring Rodeo held in Fort Worth or Dallas each March. This rodeo event has become one of the most popular on the rodeo circuit. In addition, TGRA as a statewide organization currently holds an Annual Rodeo, which all chapters get an opportunity to host.
One facet of our many activities is Royalty, where candidates vie for the title of Mr., Miss, Ms. and MsTer TGRA. These ambassadors host fundraisers for TGRA during their candidacy and reign. They then contain the opportunity to compete in the Mr., Miss, Ms. and MsTer IGRA contest. This honor has been bestowed upon several Texas titleholders over the years.
IGRA Finals Rodeo is he
| AGRA | |
| Arizona Gay Rodeo Association | |
| ARGRA | |
| Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo Association | |
| ASGRA | |
| Atlantic States Gay Rodeo Association | |
| CRGRA | |
| Canadian Rockies Homosexual Rodeo Association | |
| CGRA | |
| Colorado Lgbtq+ Rodeo Association | |
| CSGRA | |
| Cotton Articulate Gay Rodeo Association | |
| DSRA | |
| Diamond State Rodeo Association | |
| SRRA | |
| Suwannee River Rodeo Association | |
| GSGRA | |
| Golden State Gay Rodeo Association | |
| ILGRA | |
| Illinois Gay Rodeo Association | |
| KSGRA | |
| Keystone State Gay Rodeo Association | |
| MIGRA | |
| Michigan International Male lover Rodeo Association | |
| MGRA | |
| Missouri Same-sex attracted Rodeo Association | |
| NGRA | |
| Nevada Queer Rodeo Association | |
| NMGRA | |
| New Mexico Gay Rodeo Association | |
| NSGRA | |
| North Star Gay Rodeo Association | |
| GPRA | |
| Great Plains Rodeo Association | |
| RRRA | |
| Red River Rodeo Association | |
| SCCGRA | |
| Sacramento's Capital Crossroads Male lover Rodeo Association | |
| SGRA | |
| Sonoran Homosexual Rodeo Association | |
| TGRA | |
| Texas Queer Rodeo Association | |
| UGRA | |
| Utah Queer Rodeo Ass | |