Finding Aid to the International Gay Rodeo Association Institutional Archives, 1982-2009
MSA.26
Finding aid prepared by Holly Rose Larson
Autry National Center, Autry Library
4700 Western Heritage Way
Los Angeles, CA, 90027
(323) 667-2000 ext. 349
rroom@theautry.org
October 31, 2011
Title: International Gay Rodeo Association Institutional Archives
Identifier/Call Number: MSA.26
Contributing Institution:
Autry National Center, Autry Library
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
59.0 Linear feet
(96 document boxes; 1 oversized portfolio; 130 rolls of posters)
Date (inclusive): 1982-2009
Abstract: The International Gay Rodeo Association Insitutional Archives consist of administrative records, memorabilia, posters, publications
and clothing from 1982-2009. Most of the materials are regarding the planning, production, and reviews of regional chapter
rodeos as well as the final rodeo for the International Gay Rodeo Association.
creator:
International Gay Rodeo Association.
creator:
Ragsdale, Phil
Arrangement
- Series 1: Administrative files, 1982-2009
- Series 2: Clothing, memorabilia, and other materials, 1982-2009
- Series 3: Posters, 1983-2005
Processing History
Original inventory completed by Stephanie Kowalick. Historical research and some processing performed by Cody White. Additional
processing and cataloging was performed by Holly Rose Larson, Project Archivist, funded by a grant from the National Historical
Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) in 2011.
Scope and Contents
The collection consists of administrative records and documents that relate to the operations and functions of the International
Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA), especially rodeos produced by the different associations under IGRA. Administrative records
include correspondence, financial records, meeting notes, by-laws and handbooks, press clippings, photographs, and event planning
files.
Also included in the IGRA Institutional Archives are rodeo materials consisting of publications, ephemera, promotional material,
and memorabilia such as posters, programs, and clothing. There are also awards given and recieved by IGRA, including an IGRA
belt buckle which is located in Box 92.
Administrative History note
The International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA), an umbrella organization which currently encompasses 27 member associations
with 34 chapters, was officially formed in 1985 but had its genesis ten years earlier. The first gay rodeo was organized by
Phil Ragsdale in 1976 under the banner of the Comstock Gay Rodeo Association and was held in Reno Nevada. Conceived a year
earlier, in 1975, Ragsdale encountered initial local resistance to the idea, despite a charitable aspect that carries on through
today. The ensuing National Reno Gay Rodeos, as they were called, grew in popularity. Not only featuring the traditional amateur
rodeo fare of horsemanship and bull riding, the National Reno Gay Rodeo also hosted entry level events as well as a country
western dance competition and a royalty pageant, all of which are still carried on today at the many IGRA member association
rodeos.
In the early 1980s, other states began to form associations and while still traveling to Reno to compete, made plans to host
their own rodeos. By 1984, which would be the last year for the National Reno Gay Rodeo due to internal issues, newly formed
associations in Colorado and Texas had put on their own rodeos and within only two years after the formal incorporation of
IGRA in 1985, groups in California, Arizona, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and New Mexico had all started rodeos in their respective
states. While the number of sanctioned rodeos has fluctuated throughout the years, it reached a peak in 1995 with 22 events
spanning the United States and Canada. The IGRA rodeo year goes from November through October, culminating in the World Gay
Rodeo Finals, which up until 2009 was named the IGRA Finals Rodeo. Charitable giving has been a part of gay rodeos since the
beginning, with the Muscular Dystrophy Association being the first major benefactor. As the AIDS epidemic spread across the
United States, AIDS foundations became an increasingly larger beneficiary of the rodeo’s fundraising efforts.
IGRA is responsible for establishing and enforcing the standardized rodeo rules for sanctioned events and the certification
of rodeo officials. IGRA holds an annual convention, convened in various cities, as well as the annual IGRA University Academy
of Rodeo Arts, designed to train members in organizational management as well as rodeo operation. IGRA is directly run by
a president who is assisted by a vice president, a treasurer, and a secretary, all of whom are elected to one year terms.
This executive board is also augmented by an administrative assistant and public relations spokesperson. Member associations
are represented through the Board of Trustees and Board of Directors.
Acquisition
Donated by the International Gay Rodeo Association, 2009 September 9.
Access
Collection is open for research. Appointments to view materials are required. To make an appointment please visit http://theautry.org/research/research-rules-and-application
or contact library staff at rroom@theautry.org. An item-level inventory is available from library staff.
Preferred citation
International Gay Rodeo Association Institutional Archives, 1982-2009, Autry National Center, Los Angeles; MSA.26; [folder number] [folder title][date].
Other finding aids
Folder list available.
Related Archival Materials
Collections 93.31, 94.79, and 2010.12, Autry National Center, Los Angeles.
Use
Copyright has not been assigned to the Autry National Center. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts
must be submitted in writing to the Autry Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Autry National Center
as the custodian of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must
also be obtained by the reader.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
belt buckles
By-laws
Clippings.
Clothing and dress.
Correspondence
Gay rodeos -- Arizona.
Gay rodeos -- California.
Gay rodeos -- Canada.
Gay rodeos -- Colorado.
Gay rodeos -- Kansas.
Gay rodeos -- Missouri.
Gay rodeos -- Nevada -- Reno.
Gay rodeos -- New Mexico.
Gay rodeos -- Oklahoma.
Gay rodeos -- Texas.
Gay rodeos.
Handbooks, manuals, etc.
Photographs.
Posters.
Programs.
Receipts (financial records)
Reno (Nev.) -- History
Rodeos.
Box 1-89, 94, 96
Administrative files, Series I:
1982-2009
Scope and contents
The Administrative files of the International Gay Rodeo Association include the correspondence, meeting minutes, financial
records, promotional materials, and publications created in the administration of the Association. These files include the
minutes and reports of the following committees: Animal Issues and Concerns, Arena Directors, Audit, Board of Directors, Community
Outreach, Computer Expansion Study, Dance Competition, Fundraising, Health and Safety, International Dance Rules, Judges,
Media Relations, Membership and Credentials, Rodeo Growth, Royalty, and Sponsorship.
Arrangement
Administrative files are loosely arranged, chronologically and then by the following types:
- Meeting notes
- Correspondence
- Official documents
- Rodeo event and promotional material
- Publications
Boxes 1-6, 94, 96
Administrative files,
1982-1994
Boxes 7-13, 94, 96
Administrative files,
1989-1995
Boxes 14-19, 94
Administrative files,
1991-1996
Boxes 20-26
Administrative files,
Bulk, 1992-1996
1986-1996
Boxes 27-33, 94
Administrative files,
Bulk, 1994-1996
1987-1997
Boxes 34-39, 94, 96
Administrative files,
1991-1998
Boxes 40-46
Administrative files,
Bulk, 1997-1998
1986-2000
Boxes 47-52, 94, 96
Administrative files,
Bulk, 1998-1999
1994-1999
Boxes 53-58, 94, 96
Administrative files,
1997-2000
Boxes 59-64, 94
Administrative files,
1998-2002
Boxes 65-70, 94
Administrative files,
2000-2002
Boxes 71-76, 94, 96
Administrative files,
2001-2003
Boxes 77-84, 94
Administrative files,
2002-2005
Boxes 84-89, 94, 96
Administrative files,
2002-2009
Boxes 90-94
Clothing, memorabilia, and other materials, Series 2:
1982-2009
Scope and contents
This series predominately consists of commemorative t-shirts from regional and national gay rodeos. Memorabilia includes badges,
bandanas, and patches. Other material in this series includes rodeo programs, local newsletters and magazines, and IGRA Rodeo
Rules handbooks. There is one IGRA award belt buckle in Box 92.
Boxes 95-98
Posters, Series 3:
1983-2005
Scope and contents
Posters are from regional and national gay rodeo events.
