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Atlantic States Gay Rodeo Association and International Gay Rodeo Association were formed to provide a place for those who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered to be involved in the sport and community they loved; rodeo and country-western. Our stated mission was to promote that life, but the unspoken part of our mission was safety. Safety from prejudice and the slurs, physical attacks and discrimination that come with it. No one should fear that they are in danger because of who they are; be it race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity. Black lives matter. George Floyd's life matters. Breonna Taylor's life matters. Ahmaud Arbery's life matters. Tony McDade's life matters. All those whose names have not been spoken or, more accurately, whose names have been forgotten, mattered. We stand with the people marching and protesting for change and justice, not just in the now, but going forward. Let us create a new normal of saying their names when we pray at our events, before we say "Let's Rodeo." Let us create vendor space at our events for those who are wanting to achieve change and justice. Let us place in our rodeo programs "Black Lives Matter." Speaking up and action against the prejudice that led to the formation of our rodeo associations has helped to advance acceptance, and lessen prejudice for the LGBT community. Let us speak up and take action in that same way for black lives. We did not accept prejudice against LGBT people. We will, also, not accept it against others either. |
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Last update Jul 18, 2020 |