Grown men and women put tighty-whitey underwear on a goat--competitively

November 18, 2015 8:23 AM

Over the years, gay rodeos have become a centrally welcoming space for LGBTQ people in rural areas and an important place for people of all genders to compete in events which have been historically divided strongly along gender lines (such as bull riding and barrel racing). They've come a long way from their origins as a means of raising money for charity. But the people who participate in gay rodeos are aging and attendence is declining, raising questions about the future of gay rodeo. A new documentary shines a spotlight on this important piece of LGBTQ history.
posted by sciatrix (11 comments total)

Watched that film a few weeks ago and enjoyed it immensely.
posted by sonascope at 8:36 AM on November 18, 2015 [1 favorite]

We used to put Dad's old BVD's on the dog (backwards, of course, so his tail could hang out the fly).
posted by The Underpants Monster at 9:09 AM on November 18, 2015 [4 favorites]

We used to put Dad's old BVD's on the dog (backwards, of course, so his tail could hang out the fly).
posted by The Underpants Monster

...

...

So... you have always been a monster is what you're saying....
posted by GenjiandProust at 9:14 AM on November 18, 2015 [11 favorites]

I've never heard of Goat Dressing before, and I figured it would be vaguely similar to calf roping, but without the horse riding and lariats, and for the fastest time you would still need to turn the goat over to put on the underpants.

Turns out that you just need to do it this way, which makes a hell of a lot more sense from a practical perspective and it being a goofy game that's not so rough on the goat (or the players, for that matter), which is nice .

Here's the rules from 2014 that bans both "Throwing the goat or unnecessary roughness" or using "fainting goats."
posted by chambers at 9:14 AM on November 18, 2015 [3 favorites]

Until now I thought the G in LGBTQ stood for something other than Goat...
posted by oneswellfoop at 10:38 AM on November 18, 2015

The goats seem to look vaguely stunned after the underwear are applied.
posted by vibratory manner of working at 11:32 AM on November 18, 2015 [1 favorite]

I have been to and loved several gay rodeos. It's like all the fun of the rodeo plus even nicer asses in jeans, possibly with chaps, and no fear whatsoever of having something shitty said or even done to you about being with your same-sex partner. Goat dressing (which I always make sure to catch, because it's hilarious and occasionally impressive) is just the icing on the cake.
posted by fiercecupcake at 11:44 AM on November 18, 2015 [3 favorites]

The goats seem to look vaguely stunned after the underwear are applied.

Well, wouldn't you be?
posted by Etrigan at 11:44 AM on November 18, 2015 [2 favorites]

Well of course it's competitive! You didn't think the goat was going to cooperate, did you?
posted by Naberius at 12:58 PM on November 18, 2015 [3 favorites]

I mean... I get this as a social thing. And rodeos are still really grotesque animal torture.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 10:40 PM on November 18, 2015

I saw the doc on the film festival circuit last year. I enjoyed it and thought it was very well done.
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 3:38 AM on November 19, 2015