“What I look forward to
each year, on a personal level, is the challenge to myself to
improve the overall production of the rodeo. And then, on a chapter level, to expand and let the younger gay community know the gay rodeo has been around for over 30 years.”
We’re also going to have a double-decker bus running from the host hotel to the Lakeside Rodeo Grounds. And we have our dance and pool party—the pool party is on Friday, September 10 from noon to 6:00 p.m. at the Sheraton Mission Valley” Obviously for Gilliland, there is a great deal of excitement surrounding the event, and
he shared with us what aspect he enjoys the most about being affiliated with the rodeo. “To work with a group of people where you can teach and learn so many different things throughout the production of the rodeo,” he said. “What I look forward to each year, on a personal level, is the challenge to myself to improve the overall production of the rodeo. And then, on a chapter level, to expand and let the younger gay community know the gay rodeo has been around for over 30 years.” “We are on Facebook, and we also go out and do as much educational training in the
community as we can. When we do our Beer Bust or other events we let people know, ‘Hey, this is who we are,’ and get them interested and motivated to possibly come out.” And there’s good reason to draw in the multitudes, regardless of age, as rodeos in Reno, San Francisco and Los Angeles were unable to put on their events last year.
“Part of it is the hard economic times right now,” he proclaimed. “Because the rodeos
are non-profit, we seek our funding fees either through corporate sponsorships—such as beer or major spirit distributors—and through donations from fundraisers. And, with the economy being hard, a lot of communities are being hit. So, it makes it a chal- lenge to put on an event, and most rodeos run anywhere from $85,000 to $100,000 just to put on.” However, San Diego remains a strong force on the rodeo circuit and Gilliland cited why that is the case. “I think there is good leadership. And the individuals who are doing this, who all
volunteer year-round and give up their time and their resources—and dip in their pockets some—really like it and care about it,” he summarized. “If you didn’t like it or care about it, then you wouldn’t spend a year putting all the effort in for nothing. It is fun and there’s a
camaraderie...and there are honest people out there who’ll give you a hand and you know you can count on them.”
For more information about The San Diego Gay Rodeo, log on to
sandiegorodeo.org.
SEPTEMBER 2010 | RAGE monthly 13
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