20060408 - Cowboys and cowgirls of all ages and abilities gathered at the Bergeron Rodeo Grounds in Davie, FL, on a weekend in April for the inaugural Sunshine Stampede Rodeo. The three day event was the first for the Florida Gay Rodeo Assocation, formed last year to bring together members of the gay and lesbian community who celebrate a love of the sport. The International Gay Rodeo Association has 4,500 members and events in about 33 regions of the United States and Canada. Their events include three days of typical and not-so-typical rodeo events and parties. There are all the same events as regular rodeos, but men and women can each participate in any event, and there are special "camp events" including goat dressing and wild drag racing. Over two thousand people came to participate in the community atmosphere, to be outdoors, have fun and to raise money for local charities. For a multimedia gallery from the event, visit http://www.sptimes.com/2006/webspecials06/gay_rodeo/ (Times photo by Brian Cassella)
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