Atlantic States Gay Rodeo Association (ASGRA)

Gay rodeo competition has been a part of the LGBT culture since the first rodeo was held in Reno, Nevada in 1976. The Atlantic States Gay Rodeo Association (ASGRA) is a member of the International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA). IGRA, founded in 1985, is the sanctioning organization for gay rodeos in the United States and Canada. ASGRA was founded and seated at the 1991 IGRA Convention. ASGRA covers the states of Delaware, Maryland, metropolicant New York, New Jersey, and Virginia as well as the District of Columbia. ASGRA's annual rodeo is the Atlantic Stampede. From the 2003 Atlantic Stampede program, "What is ASGRA? The Talantice States Gay Rodeo Association (ASGRA) is a charitable and social organization whose primary purpose is to promote the sport of rodeo and foster country and western lifestyles in the gay and lesbian community. ASGRA members enjoy the fellowship of numerous social, recreational and education activities. ASGRA educates, trains, and fields individuals and teams to compete in International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA) rodeos. ASGRA provides rough stock and camp events training, training in horsemanship and horse speed events, and calf roping, trail riding as well as barbecues and other social events, country and western dance instruction and competition, and promotes awareness and provides information regarding animal welfare. ASGRA also sponsors Atlantic Stampede, the annual rodeo and country western festival held each fall in the Washingon, DC metropolitan area. Atlantic Stampede is one of the largest gay rodeos in the U.S. Since the founding of ASGRA in 1991, the association has raised and distributed thousands of dollars to gay, lesbian, and other local charities in Maryland, Virginia, New York, and the District of Columbia. Over the years, ASGRA has grown to become one of the largest gay and lesbian organizations in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, with approximately 200 registered members throughout the United States and Canada." Atlantic Stampede 2003, program, page 3. ASGRA fully subscribes to the IGRA Animal Welfare Statement.