Usage conditions may apply for digital images, video, and sound recordings linked within SOVA collections. While digital content may be restricted, SOVA collection descriptions and catalog records are available CC0 for re-use. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA) Collection
Summary
- Collection ID:
- NMAH.AC.1634
- Dates:
-
1979-2024
- Languages:
-
English.
- Physical Description:
-
3.2 Cubic feet7 boxes
- Repository:
Collection documents the International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA) and its Member Associations. Collection contains rodeo programs, posters, and ephemera.
Content Description
Content Description
Archival material from the International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA), including newsletters, posters, programs, and ephemera. A nation-wide range of materials from member associations of IGRA. Posters and programs are noted for the variety and inventiveness of their graphics. Programs contain a listing of events, sponsors, advertisers, buckle sponsors, and illustrations. Ephemera is most often brochures and braodsides advertising rodeos, dance contests, or other events associated with IGRA and member associations.
Arrangement
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in three series.
Series 1, Member Associations, 1979-2024, undated
Series 2, International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA), Conventions, Dance Contests, and Ephemera, 1992-2019
Series 3, Magazines and Ephemera, 1988-2014
Biographical / Historical
Biographical / Historical
This edited history was taken from the International Gay Rodeo Association website: http://gayrodeohistory.org/GayRodeoHistory.htm accessed April 2025.
"With ten years of gay rodeo history already in the record books, a gathering of rodeo junkies gathered to formalize the future of gay rodeo in Denver in September of 1985. Nine months of preparation already had been invested in efforts to assure the continuity, growth, and heritage of the Country/Western lifestyle in the gay community. Colorado, Texas, California, and Arizona were each represented by five delegates. The convention opened by recognizing the newly formed Oklahoma Gay Rodeo Association and their four delegates.
The five founding states of the International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA) elected Wayne Jakino as their Founding President and formally adopted the Articles of Incorporation in the state of Colorado. They ratified the bylaws, approved events, standardized rodeo rules, and committed the organization to the fostering of national and international amateur rodeo and other equestrian competition and related arts, crafts and activities which encourage the education on or preservation of "Country/Western" lifestyle heritage.
History has recorded 14 gay rodeos (nine Reno rodeos, three Colorado rodeos, one Texas rodeo and one California rodeo) prior to the formation of IGRA. The convention also scheduled the sanctioned rodeo season for 1986, running from November 1, 1985 to October 31, 1986:
Texas - November, 1985 Arizona - January, 1986 California - March, 1986 Colorado - June, 1986 Oklahoma - July, 1986 Convention - September, 1986 (in Denver)
As with any large organization, there are losses as well as gains. Over the years Oregon, the Cowboy State (Wyoming), Silver State (Nevada), Tri-State (Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky), Northwest (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and British Columbia) and Big Sky (Montana) were not able to keep their individual members active and their organizations have since dissolved. Two of those associations were able to reorganize and become involved with IGRA. That was the state of Nevada, who joined as the Nevada Gay Rodeo Association (NGRA) and the Pacific Northwest Gay Rodeo Assocition (PNWGRA).
The International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA) currently has many Member Associations representing states, the District of Columbia, and two Canadian provinces. IGRA is going strong and hopes that you will get involved with one of our Member Associations or perhaps promote the formation of a new association where IGRA is not active."
Administration
Author
Franklin A. Robinson, Jr.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Collection donated to the Archives Center by the International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA), Inc. in December 2024.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Franklin A. Robinson, Jr., archivist, supervised by Vanessa Broussard Simmons, Archivist, 2025.
Using the Collection
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Preferred Citation
International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA) Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
Conditions Governing Use
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Related Materials
Related Materials
Materials in the Archives Center
Michio and Aveline Kushi Macro-Biotics Collection (AC0619)
The Shamrock Bar: Photographs and Interviews (AC0857)
John-Manuel Andriote
Victory Deferred
Collection (AC1128)Archives Center Wedding Documentation Collection (AC1131 )
Division of Science, Medicine, and Society HIV/AIDS Reference Collection (AC1134)
John-Manuel Andriote
Hot Stuff: A Brief History of Disco
Collection (AC1184)Joan E. Biren (JEB) Queer Film Museum Collection (AC1216)
World AIDS Institute (WAI) Collection (AC1266)
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) Records (AC1282)
Helping Persons with AIDS (HPA) Records (AC1283)
DC Cowboys Dance Company Records (AC1312)
Bil Browning and Jerame Davis Papers (AC1334)
David Hadley Rockwell New York Disco Ephemera Collection (AC1342)
Leonard P. Hirsch Federal Globe Records (AC1357)
Corbett Reynolds Papers (AC1390)
Mark Segal Papers (AC1422)
The Mattachine Society of Washington "Love in Action" Collection (AC1428)
Academy of Washington Records (AC1458)
Matthew Shepard Papers (AC1463)
I'm From Driftwood
Records (AC1503)Archives Center Lesbian Pulp Fiction Collection (AC1513)
Magie Dominic Caffe Cino Collection (AC1596)
Walter S. Albano Papers (AC1599)
Bishop V. Gene Robinson Papers (AC1600)
The Division of Political History holds artifacts related to gay activist Franklin Kameny and a variety of political buttons. They also hold LGBT related artifacts from Joan E. Biren (JEB).
Keywords
| Keyword Terms | Keyword Types | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ephemera | Genre Form | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| LGBTQ+ | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Newsletters | Genre Form | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Posters | Genre Form | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Rodeos -- United States | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA) | Corporate Name | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
P.O. Box 37012
Suite 1100, MRC 601
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
Business Number: Phone: 202-633-3270
Fax Number: Fax: 202-786-2453
archivescenter@si.edu
