Atlantic States Gay Rodeo Association


Home NewslettersVolume X, Issue 4
August 2001
Last Update Jan 21, 2020

A Word from the President…

Howdy Cowgirl & Cowboys,

Things have been quite busy around the ASGRA corral this past month. Hoedown in Baltimore was a grand success with a good time had by all. I would like to thank Jim Morgan, Patrick Hunter & our fabulous Social & Entertainment Team for a splendid event. Your president & vice president served cocktails & Bud Lite all evening. Jim M. & Bobby T. sold script tickets and merchandise, while our Treasure Steven H. keep track of the funds. Mike S. spent hours at our front gate collecting and selling dance tickets. Madonna and Bobby T. made sure ASGRA Royalty was well represented; Madonna kept things going on the dance floor and promoted the association all evening. Billy C., Joe R. and Alain? Well, all I can say is that those guys seemed to be everywhere and tireless! Thank you everybody for being there to help us have another stellar event in Baltimore.

As I type, it is the eve of the IGRA convention. The ASGRA delegation that will represent our organization is preparing for a long journey to the west coast. Along with that trip will come long days of politics, meetings, lobbying and voting. The ASGRA delegation is experienced and energetic. We are lucky to have some of the best talents in the IGRA representing us there. Remember, the decisions made at the annual convention govern all of us over the next rodeo year. Be informed and talk to your delegates. Your delegates are your voice at convention. Wish us all luck. The Krispy Kreme Delegation rides again!

Don't forget to make your plans to join us in Delaware August 3-5 for a weekend of fun at the Double L and Renegade as we bring Rodeo to the beach!

Also now is the time to step forward and volunteer your time and talents to help out where and when you can at the Atlantic Stampede 2001 rodeo. Our big charity fundraiser is here again and we need every member's help to make it another ASGRA success. This is our tenth Stampede rodeo and I want to see it remembered as one of our best events ever. Please give your member support to a great cause. Stampede profits help us give back to our community.

Just a final reminder, "Don't forget to renew your membership." We need you. Membership and Stampede 2001 ticket order forms are enclosed in this issue to facilitate the process. You can also visit our website (www.asgra.org) to download forms and/or order tickets online from our webstore (thanx to Billy C. and Steve H. for keeping that updated). Let's Rodeo!
David C. H, President


The Journey to Long Beach: Shaping Change within IGRA

The year marks my second trip to IGRA Convention. Both years with a mission: to educate the cowboys and cowgirls on diversity and sensitivity.

Prior to last year's convention, I was looking through the rules for Royalty, both on the local level and on the International level for a specific listing. That listing was the gender that royalty had to be to compete. Did the Mr. have to be male? Did the Ms. have to be female? The only rule I found was that the Miss candidates had to present themselves as male for the interview and horsemanship video, and in drag for the all public items. There was nothing in either set of rules regarding the other two categories. So I asked.

I sent an email to the ASGRA Board of Directors and the IGRA Board asking if there was any such rule governing the gender of the Mr. and Ms. Royalty positions. What started out as a simple question led to much more.

I met with two of our delegates last summer and we talked about transgender issues and what they meant with regard to competing both in the arena and in the royalty contests. We came up with a proposal to present on the floor of convention. It was reworked and was accepted. The result of that can be found on page 2 of the IGRA 2001 Rodeo Rules book, under the heading of "IGRA Statement of Position on Gender Identification".

I was asked last year to present a session on gender issues at convention. I had never done one of these on that type of level before, and certainly not by myself. But I figured that since I started this, I needed to see it through. So I did some research and came up with a packet of information to present to those who came. There were about 8 people present for that session, so it wasn't that scary for this shy introvert. At the conclusion of that session, I was asked to present it again at the IGRA University this year. Unfortunately, I was not able to do so due to a prior commitment.

As convention approached this year, I received an email from IGRA President Craig Rouse requesting me to present another session on Sensitivity and Gender Issues at convention. I accepted and began the search for other information to share.

Not knowing what to expect in terms of attendance this year, I was very surprised to see the count at 18 people from 10 Member Associations. The mix of Board members, trustees, competitors, International and local royalty was good. I had asked two people to assist me in my presentation this year and pulled a third from those gathered. With their assistance, we discussed bathroom issues, job security, personal safety and other concerns surrounding people who fall under the umbrella of transgendered. This session spawned much discussion throughout the rest of convention.

It would appear that what started out as a simple inquiry has turned into a yearly event, and has helped this shy man come out of his shell and do what I have lovingly termed "educating the cowboys/cowgirls".

ASGRA was the sponsoring association for the Gender Identification ruling, and that is something to be proud of. We, as an association, are at the forefront of educating the masses on transgender issues - something that apparently was needed, based on the 10 associations represented at the Sensitivity session. Next year, perhaps we will have all 19.
Mike Sanders


ASGRA Board of Directors and Committee Chairs President: David H 13512 Woodvale Court Woodbridge, VA. 22191-1832
Vice-President/Newsletter Editor: Lonni La Bel 2155 Mohegan Drive Falls Church, VA 22043-2512
Secretary: Gaither Pennington 133 Tull Place Alexandria, VA 22304
Treasurer: Steven Haber 1314 12th Street, NW Washington, DC 20005-4402
Membership: Michael Schanno
Fundraising & Sponsorship: TBD;
Public Relations: Sonny Koerner 300 South Taylor St. Arlington, VA 22204-1445
Rodeo Events & Training: Cindy Brendle 5702 Plummer Lane Lothian, MD 20711
Social & Entertainment: Jim Morgan 1514 T St NW Washington, DC 20009-3910


News 'Round The Corral

Stampede 2001 Tickets Now on Sale!

Stampede 2001 tickets are now on sale. The advance price for the weekend package is still $45.00. Buy early, and save $10 off the at-the-door price, and $20 off the price of each event if purchased individually.

Tickets can be purchased on-line, via our website (follow the link at www.asgra.org) or at most Lambda Rising locations. You can contact our Treasurer, Steven Haber, at treas@asgra.org for any required ticket purchase information.

Don't forget to get tickets to the Western Steak Dinner that follows the rodeo on Sunday and precedes the Contestant Awards Presentation Ceremony. (Dinner tickets are not part of the weekend package.) The dinner is an additional $25, and tickets will only be available in advance since we need to get a count to the caterers ahead of time. Last year's Steak Dinner had a great turnout, and this year's promises to be even better!
Steven Haber, Treasurer


IGRA Convention 2001 was a very busy, productive and fun weekend. Due to several personal emergencies, we had a much smaller delegation than originally expected. We did manage to keep a full slate of 6 delegates at our table all weekend, however. A special thanx to Matt Komornik (aka Miss Patty Como) and Mike Sanders for stepping in to ensure coverage, along with Lori Butcher who spent a lot more time at the table and in meetings than most alternates normally do! A list of the delegates who represented ASGRA follows:

Delegates: David H (President/Board), Lonni LaBel (Board), Cindy Brendle (Board), Sonny Koerner (Acting Trustee/General Membership), Billy Collison (General Membership), and Mike Sanders (General Membership).
Alternates: Lori Butcher, Matt Komornik
Lonni La Bel, Vice President


ASGRA Royalty 2001 & Committee Chairs

IGRA Trustee: Les Boggs 2514-C S Walter Reed Dr Arlington, VA 22206-1289
Rodeo Director/Webmaster: Billy Collison 18600 Walker's Choice Rd. #5 Gaithersburg, MD 20886-0539
BHT Representative 2001: Bruce Forchheimer 1535 9th St NW Washington, DC 20001-3207
CAB Representative 2001: Patrick Hunter 410 15th Street, NE #26 Washington, DC 20002
Mr. ASGRA 2001: Robert Boaz 9853 Maple Leaf Dr. Gaithersburg, MD 20886
1st Runner-up Mr. ASGRA 2001: John Stortz 910 Lilac Arbor Rd. Dacula, GA 30019
Miss ASGRA 2001: Miss Blair Michaels 1225 Martha Custis Dr. #1017 Alexandria, VA 22302-2021
Ms. ASGRA 2001: MaDonna Medina 10 Brinks Ct. Sterling, VA 20165-5789


ASGRA Social and Entertainment Schedule for Summer/Fall 2001

Stampede Training Day/Play Day: August 12
Atlantic Stampede 2001: September 7-9
Entertainment and Atlantic Coast Open Dance Contest
Volunteer Awards Event, 2001 Elections and General Membership Meeting: Hunt Club, Alexandria, VA October 28
Provided by Jim Morgan, S&E Chair


What's New 'Round the Corral

Remember, the ASGRA trail rides are the first Sunday of the month at 11:00am!
Weather permitting, we will be holding a trail ride at Piscataway Ranch in Clinton, MD at 11:00 am on the following days:
August 5th: Summertime and the riding is easy!
September 2nd: Back to school and back to the trails!
October 7th: Celebrate the beauty of the autumn foliage on horseback!
For further information, contact Glenn.

Regardless of the weather, we will be holding monthly training sessions for roping and camp events at Hideaway Ranch in Brandywine, MD at noon on the following days:
Sunday, August 12, 2001 - All horse events plus roping on foot with live calves Due to the cost of live calves, there will be a nominal charge of @$5.00 per person for use of the livestock for calf roping on foot. Hope to see you all there! Contact Louis Varnado & Andy Pittman for more info.


FREE PERSONAL TRAINER FOR ASGRA MEMBERS!
Webmasters note: As this newsletter is posted to our web site, this is no longer in effect (Sept. 23, 2002)

ASGRA is proud to announce an added member benefit for all current and valid ASGRA members. In conjunction with the Crew Club, a longtime ASGRA supporter, members will be able to consult and work with a personal trainer on Wednesday nights at the Crew Club's brand new workout gym stocked with state-of-the-art resistance workout equipment.

Every Wednesday from 6-8pm, the club has arranged to make its personal trainer (a Texas native, and rodeo friendly) available to ASGRA members through September 5th. The trainer will work with each individual member to establish a focused workout to promote strength building according to each members specific rodeo event(s). Should ASGRA have a lot of interest and support in this program, the Crew Club would be interested in offering the same program next year.

In order to participate, you must be a current ASGRA member and show a valid ASGRA membership card at the desk of the Crew Club (14th & P Street, NW). They will issue you a special membership card for ASGRA members only. This will allow you to be at the club every Wednesday from 6-8pm for the training sessions with other ASGRA members. You must agree to rules and conditions of the club, and extra curricular activities are not part of this program. That is on your own time and your own dime.

Male and Female ASGRA members are welcome. For more information, feel free to call the Crew Club.


Royalty Roundup Information

ASGRA's own Miss ASGRA 2001, Blair Michaels took the title of 1st Alternate to Miss Gay DC. She will be traveling to Dallas in October for the Miss Gay America contest! Congratulations Blair!

It was a triple-threat event on July 11 when Mr. ASGRA 1999 Daniel Lusk joined Mr. ASGRA 2000 Sonny Koerner and current Mr. ASGRA 2001 Bobby T. to compete in Ester Goldberg's popular "Feygele Feud" at JR's.

Mr. ASGRA 2001 teamed up again with First Runner-up Mr. IGRA 2001 Sonny Koerner to host Summer Heat 2001 at Sheridan's on July 13. Miss ASGRA 2000 Jymmye Jaymes, Miss ASGRA 1999 Miss Patty Como and Ms. ASGRA 1999 Lonni La Bel joined them to raise @$3000 for the following charities: NOVAM, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, City of Hope AIDS Research and the Rodeo Contestant Crisis Fund.

Miss ASGRA 2000 and Miss ASGRA 2001 co-hosted the annual Brandy Dover Memorial Christmas in July event on July 27 at Sheridan's, raising @$1300 for Grandma's House.

ASGRA's Royalty past and present has been a visible and active team on the rodeo circuit this summer as well, visiting Little Rock, Atlanta, Calgary, Omaha, Los Angeles… and lots of other places as well!

Royalty 2002 contestant packets are out and available from any of the current Royalty team!! Come be a part of this vital team!

Keep an eye out for the Royalty Rodeo Roundup Welcome Party coming up just before Atlantic Stampede!!



ASGRA Calendar of Events

August
8 8:00pm BHT Meeting; DC Eagle; Washington, DC
10 8:00pm ASGRA Night at Stage Coach Saloon & Restaurant, Baltimore
12 Noon Stampede Training/Roping Practice; Hideaway Ranch, Brandywine, MD
15 8:00pm CAB Meeting; DC Eagle; Washington, DC
15 6-8pm ASGRA member free training - Crew Club
20 7:30pm Newsletter Committee Meeting, location TBD
20 Midnight Newsletter submissions due to Editor
22 6-8pm ASGRA member free training - Crew Club
29 6-8pm ASGRA member free training - Crew Club
31 Midnight Last date for all AS2001 tickets orders at members-only rate
31 Midnight ASGRA Royalty 2002 Contestant Applications Due
31 Due date for ASGRA Royalty 2002 Fundraising Qualifier and receipt of funds raised
September
2 11:00am Trail Ride at Piscataway stables, Clinton, MD
4 7:30pm ASGRA Board Meeting; Capital Hilton
5 6-8pm ASGRA member free training - Crew Club
6 6:00pm ASGRA Royalty 2002 Interview and Horsemanship Videos; Sheridan's
6 9:00pm ASGRA Royalty 2002 Rodeo Roundup Party; Sheridan's
7-9 Atlantic Stampede 2001
7 10:00pm ASGRA Royalty 2002 Public Presentation, Western Wear and Entertainment Competition;
Capital Hilton
12 8:00pm BHT Meeting; DC Eagle; Washington, DC
14 8:00pm ASGRA Night at Stage Coach Saloon & Restaurant, Baltimore
15 Midnight ASGRA Volunteer Recognition Forms due
17 7:30pm Newsletter Committee Meeting, location TBD
17 Midnight Newsletter submissions due to Editor
19 8:00pm CAB Meeting; DC Eagle; Washington, DC
23 Midnight ASGRA Elections Bios due
28 Midnight Membership due date in order to vote in 2001-2002 Elections
TBD 4:00pm ASGRA General Membership Mtg; location TBD


ASGRA Elections Notice

ASGRA will hold its annual elections for the 2001 - 2002 association year on October 28. All active members in good standing with at least six months of continuous membership are eligible to run for office this year.

The following Offices are up for election:
Executive Board (Two year term):
President
Treasurer
Committee Chairperson (One year term):
Fund Raising and Sponsorship
Membership
Rodeo Events and Training
Public Relations
Social and Entertainment

Members wishing to run for office must submit a written biography listing their qualifications for the nominated office by Sunday, September 23rd. The information in the biography serves as a helpful reminder to members familiar with the candidate's background and as an important introduction to members who are unfamiliar with the candidate.

Format

  • The biography should be typed on one 8½ x 11 page. Handwritten and extra pages will be included in the election packet although it is recommended that candidates remain professional and concise.
  • Biographies will be reproduced for the election packet as they are received. The Elections Committee will not correct misspellings, editorial errors and other visual distractions. It is important to ensure accuracy before submitting the final version.
  • Use standard fonts, sizes and features. Fancy fonts (e.g. script) can be distracting for people. Excessive use of bold and other features can also distract from the content of the biography.

    Content

  • Remember you are writing to members who may or may not know you. Candidates should not assume that the reader is familiar with his or her experience in ASGRA.
  • Keep all information relevant and concise. The biography is only meant as a guide to members about a specific candidate and a specific office. Stay brief and on target.
  • Remember that experience need not be limited to ASGRA activities. They should include any relevant professional or extracurricular experience.
  • Suggested heading for biography is "I, [candidate's name], am a candidate for the ASGRA Office of [office title].
  • Answer the following questions in order and include questions on the form. Maintaining similar order among all the biographies will make it easier for members to review all of them. Questions
    1 - What experience do you bring to this position?
    2 - What do you expect to accomplish in this position?
    3 - How do you expect to interact with the rest of the Board?
    4 - How do you expect to interact with the general membership?
    5 - What is your perception of the requirements of this position? How do you anticipate fulfilling the stated requirements?

    Election packets will be mailed by October 14, 2000 to all individual ASGRA members in good standing as of September 28, 2001. Ballots can be mailed in or you may vote in person at the General Membership meeting on October 28, 2000.

    Remember: The deadline for submission of biographies is Sunday, September 23rd .
    Please send your biographies to:
    ASGRA Elections
    PO Box 22042
    Alexandria, VA 22304-7716

    Or send an attached copy via e-mail to: vp.

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