Each year at RMR Rodeo, the Colorado Gay Rodeo Association chooses to salute both a member and a non-member of CGRA for their contributions to the gay community. We are tremendously proud of our selections this year!
Why?-Because he loved this-RODEO!
Way back in 1959 when Mom and Pop Brown started this expenence with a brand new baby, they had no idea what lessons in life th1s child would teach them. Born 1n Mrytfe Po1nt and graduated from Coquille High Schoof (both in Oregon), Gary terronzed h1s family with his skills learned in dnver's education and they were rel1eved that he surv1ved to make the move to Denver, Colorado 1n 1979. Gary's magnetic road forward to his future led him through Continental Airlines and several travel agencies ... head-on into capturing the very first Mr. Charlie's of the Month title in January 1986. He found his place to do his thing-Help the Community!
Within a year, he was deeply involved in CGRA and served on the Board as Vice President, then as RMR Rodeo Director for 1989, 1990, and 1991. As he saw it the door was open and he added to his load servrng on the Colorado Tavern Guild Advertrsrng Committee, The Mr. Charlie's Program and numerous AIDS-related projects. He raised bucks!
Vision? Future? or just "I'm proud of who I am and I am mak1ng a difference." He loved th1s damn ole Ro-deo and we loved h1m.
EPOColorado, The Equal Protection Campaign, is our 2nd Grand Marshall for this year's Rocky Mountain Regional Rodeo. In this month of pride, it is more important than ever that we remember what gay pride is all about: pride in ourselves, our community, and our civil rights as gay men and lesbians.
The United States 1s currently expenencing a resurgence of the Far Right agenda 1n th1s country. From its power base 1n Orange County, CA. a rght-w1ng organization called Trad1t1onal Values Coalition (TVC) spawns chapters around the country that ignite hatred against gay and lesbtan people.
Colorado is one of the1r targets. With backtng from the TVC Colorado for Family Values (CFV) has set up shop in Colorado Springs. Their goal is simple: Institutionalize intolerance by writing discriminatory language into our state Constitution. CFV's brand of discrimination-denying basic civil rights protection to gay and lesbian Coloradans-is on the ballot for a November 1992.
EPOColorado has started the NOON#2 campaign to combat these hatemongers. Let's remember that to lrve in a hate-free sooety is a grand and noble wish--the abiltty to make it an attainable realrty lies in our right to vote.
Colorado has a proud tradition of establishrng and protecting individuals' Constitutional rights. Let's not change that! Support EPOColorado tn the fight to keep discriminatory language out of the Colorado Constitution.
The Ron Jesser & Danny Bahr awards are two more of the highlights of C.G.R.A.'s Rocky Mountain Regional Rodeo and a point of great pride for the recipients.
Ron Jesser enjoyed all aspects of Rodeo and in the arena he knew that our future "Bull Riders" were getttng their best introductron by competing in 'Wild Steer Rtding". In his memory a roughstock competitor is recognized each year for his/her sportsmanshrp.
Danny Bahr, on the other hand, was, a behrnd the scenes, worker and the "Hey- sure you can do it!" man at all of our rodeos. In hrs memory C.G.R.A. presents a sportsmanshrp award to another contestant whose love of rodeo shines thru like Danny's did!
Both awards follow thrs cnteria
The Jesser / Bahr awards are funded as an endowment not to exceed $1,000.00 (Each fund, currently, is barely tn excess of $700.00!). Mr, Ms., & Miss C.G.R.A. 1992 want to bring both endowments to full funding as their pet project and will happily accept any and all donations.
Award recipients are chosen by the Arena Director, the Rodeo Director(s), the Announcer and two C.G.R.A. members (selected by the C.G.R.A. Board)
The awards (a dream of Barb Cook) were established in December of 1986 and C.G.R.A. has proudly honored:
BAHR
1987 Magnolia Sp1rits (Buddy Sojourner)
1988 Shelly Pohl
1989 Suzy Green
1990 Bob Deming
1991 Dick Bower
JESSER
1987 John DeGrosslier
1988 Mark Fridan
1989 Lee Williams
1990 Uncle Paul
1991 Bob Mitchell
