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The video, photos, audio and articles below are part of my Gay Rodeo series. So what's an Alabama reporter doing in Texas? I learned a man in Birmingham, Alabama wanted to start up his own gay rodeo by 2014. It would be the first one in the state. So, being new to the rodeo world, I was curious to see what a gay rodeo was like and what possible challenges this Alabama man could face in starting up his own gay rodeo in the state. As I learned, it's just like a "traditional" rodeo with bull riding and calf roping, but it's open to the LGBT community. And, as you can see below, it features some unique events.

Raw Video of Gay Rodeo in Fort Worth, TX

Wild Drag Racing is the most popular "camp" event at a gay rodeo. Men dress up in drag and have to get on a steer and go across a white line in under 1 minute. Not as easy as it sounds, as you can see from the video above.
The man with the red feather in his hat is John Beck, the "Grandfather" of the Gay Rodeo. He invented Wild Drag Racing. Competitors say it's one of the most dangerous events in a gay rodeo.

Another video shot of Wild Drag Racing. Both contestants are able to get on the steer, stay on and cross the white line in under a minute. The contestant on the right hand side of the screen has a harder time with his steer, but he should get high marks for his drag costume.

Goat dressing is quite a spectacle to behold. It's a race where teams of 2 run down to a goat. One person holds up the goat's legs while their teammate puts on the underwear.

The contestant wearing the teal colored shirt on the left hand side is Wade Earp, Wyatt Earp's great-great-great nephew. He’s been competing in the gay rodeo circuit for 12 years.

Maggie Martin was the host of Morning Edition at Alabama Public Radio. The popular news program airs every weekday morning starting at 5:00 AM. For over three decades, Morning Edition has taken listeners around the country and the world with news stories, interviews and commentaries. Maggie highlighted the wide range of programming featured on Morning Edition, from the informative to the quirky.
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