Why are there gay rodeos?

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Speaking of which, why are there "Christian Skydivers?"

In the beginning the vision came to me as a way to enhance fellowship among believers. Christians are a distinct minority in the sport. It is difficult for the Christian to socialize post skydive . If you spot another jumper wearing the CSA emblem you know you have something in common.

Back in the early 70's there was the rainbow emblem for pot smokers. It has since taken on new meaning. The point being, it was easier to identify a like minded jumper.

I think you just summed up why a lot of minorities want to group together. I don't think it has anything to do with "proving they're normal." Most of us like to find like-minded people, especially if whatever aspect of our lives that makes us a minority is particularly important to us or makes us alienated by the majority group.

[RonD1120 62]

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Speaking of which, why are there "Christian Skydivers?"

In the beginning the vision came to me as a way to enhance fellowship among believers. Christians are a distinct minority in the sport. It is difficult for the Christian to socialize post skydive . If you spot another jumper wearing the CSA emblem you know you have something in common.

Back in the early 70's there was the rainbow emblem for pot smokers. It has since taken on new meaning. The point being, it was easier to identify a like minded jumper.

I think you just summed up why a lot of minorities want to group together. I don't think it has anything to do with "proving they're normal." Most of us like to find like-minded people, especially if whatever aspect of our lives that makes us a minority is particularly important to us or makes us alienated by the majority group.

Very well stated.

Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

[quade 4]

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Christians are a distinct minority in the sport.

I'd challenge this assertion.

I do not believe Christians are a distinct minority in the sport.
I do believe overtly vocal and constantly evangelizing ones are, but then again, that's probably how it should be.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[billvon 3,132]

>Christians are a distinct minority in the sport.

Hmm, around here they are definitely the majority.

[mnealtx 0]

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>As skydivers, we're judged by how well and how safely we fly in the air, not by skin
>color, religion, money, nor sexuality.

So I take it you would choose a gay rodeo (where all sexes and sexual orientations are welcomed) over a straight rodeo (where gays and women are not welcome at some events?)

Got a cite for where the women are doing roughstock events at the gay rodeo?

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[mnealtx 0]

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>Christians are a distinct minority in the sport.

Hmm, around here they are definitely the majority.

Which, of course, is why you have 20 Christians browbeating 3 atheists in any religion thread that is posted....oh, wait...

Strike that - reverse it

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

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>Christians are a distinct minority in the sport.

Hmm, around here they are definitely the majority.

I think if you're talking about Christians who would check "Christian" on a religion survey, then yeah, they're probably a majority. But if you're talking about Christians who are so involved with their religion that they would want to join a Christian Skydivers Association, I think they are a minority. In all my years of being around skydiving, I could probably only name about two skydivers who I know are Christian, but that's probably because most just don't bring it up at the dz.

[billvon 3,132]

>I think if you're talking about Christians who would check "Christian" on a religion
>survey, then yeah, they're probably a majority. But if you're talking about Christians
>who are so involved with their religion that they would want to join a Christian
>Skydivers Association, I think they are a minority.

Definitely. That's true of many things at the DZ. I mean, I bet most guys at a typical DZ are uncircumcised, but it almost never gets talked about, because most people just don't care.

(OTOH, if they wanted to start an "uncut skydivers association" no problem!)

[JohnRich 4]

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I think if you're talking about Christians who would check "Christian" on a religion survey, then yeah, they're probably a majority. But if you're talking about Christians who are so involved with their religion that they would want to join a Christian Skydivers Association, I think they are a minority. In all my years of being around skydiving, I could probably only name about two skydivers who I know are Christian, but that's probably because most just don't bring it up at the dz.

Ding ding ding!

Yep, there are plenty of Christians out there. They just don't make a big deal out of it in front of everyone. They don't introduce themselves as such. They don't evangilize to try and convert others. They just go about their daily business, living by their principles, treating people right, shaking hands, smiling, talking and making friends. Others judge them based upon their honesty and friendliness, not whether or not they're Christian.

And that's exactly what I'm proposing that the Gays should do if they want to be accepted. Don't go around introducing yourself by saying; "Hi, I'm Gay". Don't make a public spectacle of being Gay. Just go around treating people right and being a trustworthy, friendly guy. Do that, and people will accept you as is, and the fact that you're Gay won't matter to them.

[billvon 3,132]

>Got a cite for where the women are doing roughstock events at the gay rodeo?

From the "Let's Rodeo!" IGRA page:

Who participates

In all International Gay Rodeo Association regional rodeos, anyone can participate, whether they're male, female, gay or straight. Unlike the straight circuit, women can (and do) ride bulls if they wish, and men can barrel race or polebend. There are no gender restrictions on the IGRA circuit. Women are encouraged to participate fully, and do so. And many of the IGRA records are held by women.

Straight cowboys are also enjoying gay rodeo, and are as welcome as anyone to participate and compete. No one asks your sexual orientation -- you're all welcome here.

There are no qualifications for participating in any of the IGRA rodeos (except for the finals rodeo, where participation is by invitation). Anyone who is serious enough to pay the entry fee and who feels qualified to perform in the event is invited to enter and compete.

The IGRA circuit is an excellent opportunity for women who would like to compete in straight rodeo events not open to them. Its also an excellent opportunity for men who would like to participate in rodeo but don't have the time or resources to qualify for the PCRA. For cowboys who love rodeo but live in a section of the country where straight rodeo isn't available, IGRA rodeos are often a welcome opportunity to rodeo. IGRA welcomes you all.


From the Wiki page:

"They are the largest group coordinating rodeo events specifically welcoming lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) as well as heterosexual participants and spectators. IGRA is composed of many regional gay rodeo associations, and sanctions a season of rodeo events which culminates in an annual World Gay Rodeo Finals. IGRA events are intended to allow all competitors, regardless of sexual and gender identity, to compete in rodeo sports without discrimination. The organization helps spread appreciation for Western culture and the sport of rodeo, while serving as a fundraising vehicle benefiting many charitable organizations."

[Amazon 7]

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I think if you're talking about Christians who would check "Christian" on a religion survey, then yeah, they're probably a majority. But if you're talking about Christians who are so involved with their religion that they would want to join a Christian Skydivers Association, I think they are a minority. In all my years of being around skydiving, I could probably only name about two skydivers who I know are Christian, but that's probably because most just don't bring it up at the dz.

Ding ding ding!

Yep, there are plenty of Christians out there. They just don't make a big deal out of it in front of everyone. They don't introduce themselves as such. They don't evangilize to try and convert others. They just go about their daily business, living by their principles, treating people right, shaking hands, smiling, talking and making friends. Others judge them based upon their honesty and friendliness, not whether or not they're Christian.

And that's exactly what I'm proposing that the Gays should do if they want to be accepted. Don't go around introducing yourself by saying; "Hi, I'm Gay". Don't make a public spectacle of being Gay. Just go around treating people right and being a trustworthy, friendly guy. Do that, and people will accept you as is, and the fact that you're Gay won't matter to them.

Ok.. and what happens when they give their SO's a big kiss before climbing on the plane.. or after they get down off a fantastic jump.. just like their christian friends would do with their So's before or after a jump.

Is that flaunting their sexuality???

[billvon 3,132]

>And that's exactly what I'm proposing that the Gays should do if they want to be
>accepted. Don't go around introducing yourself by saying; "Hi, I'm Gay". Don't make a
>public spectacle of being Gay.

I have never met any gay person at the DZ who walked up to someone else and said "Hi, I'm gay" or made a public spectacle of it. (Other than, say, kissing someone, which both orientations do with great regularity.)

>Yep, there are plenty of Christians out there. They just don't make a big deal out of it
>in front of everyone. They don't introduce themselves as such. They don't evangilize to
>try and convert others. They just go about their daily business, living by their
>principles, treating people right, shaking hands, smiling, talking and making friends.
> Others judge them based upon their honesty and friendliness, not whether or not
>they're Christian.

Sounds like that applies to all the gay men and women I know at the DZ as well. Why, I bet you know a bunch of gay skydivers and just don't know it.

One of the sadder things I occasionally hear is someone tell me something along the lines of "I'm seeing so and so. Well, yeah, I'm gay, and I figured I could tell you because XXX." (XXX being some reason that I'm "not like other skydivers" - I defended someone else who was gay, or they saw a post I made or something.) It's sad that some people feel that they CAN'T talk about it at the DZ. That's one of the good things about the success of the gay bigway events - there are now places where it is explicitly OK to be yourself and to stop having to hide.

[jakee 1,611]

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Others judge them based upon their honesty and friendliness, not whether or not they're Christian.

And that's exactly what I'm proposing that the Gays should do if they want to be accepted. Don't go around introducing yourself by saying; "Hi, I'm Gay". Don't make a public spectacle of being Gay.

Now then - of all these honest, friendly christians, what proportion of them do you think go to church? You know, 'making a public spectacle of being christian'?

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Just go around treating people right and being a trustworthy, friendly guy. Do that, and people will accept you as is, and the fact that you're Gay won't matter to them.

Except for the still quite significant portion of people to whom it does matter. And you won't get rid of them by hiding.


(And I'm still wondering why you think being honest, trustworthy, not introducing yourself to people as gay, working for charities or running for mayor is mutually exclusive with attending gay events?)

Do you want to have an ideagasm?

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I think if you're talking about Christians who would check "Christian" on a religion survey, then yeah, they're probably a majority. But if you're talking about Christians who are so involved with their religion that they would want to join a Christian Skydivers Association, I think they are a minority. In all my years of being around skydiving, I could probably only name about two skydivers who I know are Christian, but that's probably because most just don't bring it up at the dz.

Ding ding ding!

Yep, there are plenty of Christians out there. They just don't make a big deal out of it in front of everyone. They don't introduce themselves as such. They don't evangilize to try and convert others. They just go about their daily business, living by their principles, treating people right, shaking hands, smiling, talking and making friends. Others judge them based upon their honesty and friendliness, not whether or not they're Christian.

And that's exactly what I'm proposing that the Gays should do if they want to be accepted. Don't go around introducing yourself by saying; "Hi, I'm Gay". Don't make a public spectacle of being Gay. Just go around treating people right and being a trustworthy, friendly guy. Do that, and people will accept you as is, and the fact that you're Gay won't matter to them.

But there are some Christians who might want to make their religion a bigger part of their skydiving experience, and I think it's great that they can find like-minded people to share the experience with. They might feel alienated by the skydiving majority who generally only want to talk about boobies and beer. I don't think the purpose is to exclude others or be obnoxious; I think it's just about making their own experience what they want it to be.

[mnealtx 0]

Thank you.

Looks like they're doing better at acceptance than the NAGAAA...

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A gay softball association in the US can limit the number of heterosexual players on its teams, a federal judge ruled Thursday.

The decision to allow the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Association (NAGAAA) to enforce a rule of two "straight" players came in a lawsuit filed by three bisexual men who claim they were kicked out of the Gay Softball World Series because they "weren't gay enough," the Courthouse News Service reported.

US District Judge John Coughenour wrote in his ruling, "Plaintiffs have failed to argue that there is a compelling state interest in allowing heterosexuals to play gay softball."

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[jakee 1,611]

You know, I was kinda wondering what superficially related bit of trivia you might have up your sleeve to avoid having to drop that line of questioning altogether.

NAGAAA. That's impressive.

Do you want to have an ideagasm?

[beowulf 1]

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boobies and beer

hmm boobies and beer, what was this thread about?

[mnealtx 0]

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You know, I was kinda wondering what superficially related bit of trivia you might have up your sleeve to avoid having to drop that line of questioning altogether.

NAGAAA. That's impressive.

Nice...got some comment for the ball instead of the player?

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[kelpdiver 2]

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You know, I was kinda wondering what superficially related bit of trivia you might have up your sleeve to avoid having to drop that line of questioning altogether.

NAGAAA. That's impressive.

it is relevant to the topic, esp for the person who was unaware that there even were gay ball leagues.

[jakee 1,611]

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You know, I was kinda wondering what superficially related bit of trivia you might have up your sleeve to avoid having to drop that line of questioning altogether.

NAGAAA. That's impressive.

Nice...got some comment for the ball

I have no idea where your ball is going.

Do you want to have an ideagasm?

[billvon 3,132]

>Looks like they're doing better at acceptance than the NAGAAA

And considerably better than the anti-gay rodeos.

[mnealtx 0]

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>Looks like they're doing better at acceptance than the NAGAAA

And considerably better than the anti-gay rodeos.

You might have a point, if you have documentation showing that gays cannot compete in the PRCA.

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[billvon 3,132]

>You might have a point, if you have documentation showing that gays cannot
>compete in the PRCA.

Never said they couldn't. But you must have forgotten already that women are banned from several events in the anti-gay (non-gay, if you prefer) rodeos.

[david3 0]

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You know, I was kinda wondering what superficially related bit of trivia you might have up your sleeve to avoid having to drop that line of questioning altogether.

NAGAAA. That's impressive.

Nice...got some comment for the ball instead of the player?

You implied that Bill was full of shit (go ahead and deny it but that is what you were doing) and Bill showed he wasn’t so as usual you redirect. Your classic MO.

[mnealtx 0]

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>You might have a point, if you have documentation showing that gays cannot
>compete in the PRCA.

Never said they couldn't. But you must have forgotten already that women are banned from several events in the anti-gay (non-gay, if you prefer) rodeos.

Which has nothing to to with gay/anti-gay.

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706