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00:01The world is changing faster than Cinderella when the clock strikes midnight.
00:06And we're struggling to keep up.
00:08From climate change to the global political climate,
00:11things are heating up and the consequences can be life-changing.
00:16Oh my god, no, look at that.
00:17It's like somebody dropped a nuclear bomb on the whole neighbourhood.
00:20Pushing people to the very edges of our society.
00:23Everybody's got their own story.
00:25I like to think I'm just foul on the sun.
00:27In this series, I'll be reaching out to people who are living on the edge.
00:30Some through choice, some through lack of choice,
00:33and others because that is where they feel most at home.
00:36Stand in your power, be who you are and love who you are.
00:39In a world where life as we know it is changing so fast that it doesn't always make sense.
00:49And on this adventure, I'll be joined by some of Ireland's most intrepid personalities,
00:53who, like me, are willing to get a taste of life on the edge.
00:58You got somebody who talks too much?
00:59Yeah, we do, actually.
01:01If someone hates themselves, bring it on.
01:04I mean, I probably shouldn't say this as a traveller, but the van life is not for me.
01:10In order for me to give up my modern comforts, it really would want to be the end of the world.
01:15While in Arizona, I went to my very first rodeo.
01:20There were a load of people jumping on bulls, lassoing horses.
01:24And I did this very peculiar thing called goat dressing.
01:28Now, goat dressing is basically two people running at full speed towards a goat
01:33and slipping a pair of knickers on them.
01:36I said to my friend, isn't that what you do down in County Kerry?
01:40And he said, no, the opposite, actually.
01:43So you're taking the knickers off the goat?
01:45Now, people might say we have it easy today with all our mud cons and technology.
02:01Life is certainly more convenient.
02:03Smartphones mean we don't need filofaxes or diaries.
02:06We don't need banks to do our banking.
02:09And here in Phoenix, Arizona, I don't need a cab driver to drive my cab.
02:14Today, the US is grappling with the challenges of modern life and old-fashioned values
02:20as everybody strives to find a place in this world.
02:23Phoenix, Arizona is cowboy country.
02:26The land where real men do rodeo.
02:29Rope and reins and lots of pain.
02:31And saddling up with me is a comedian whose wit is as sharp as a cowboy spurs.
02:37Enya Martin.
02:38Where's the driver?
02:39Welcome to America.
02:41Every year, Phoenix is host to a big rodeo.
02:49But this ain't any old rodeo.
02:51This is the gay rodeo.
02:53And I'm ready for some books and sass with a little class.
02:57Welcome to the Arizona Gay Rodeo.
03:01Grab a cocktail, sit back and enjoy the ride.
03:06All right, all right, all right.
03:09Two days of cowboys, cowgirls and cowpeople.
03:13Starting with Miss International Gay Rodeo Association 2025, Miss Tequila Mockingbird.
03:20This whole thing, what's it about?
03:22Well, this is the first rodeo of the year.
03:24This is the Arizona Gay Rodeo.
03:26So there's about 14 different rodeos that happen throughout the country.
03:30So the cowboys, cowgirls, cowqueers, they compete all year long.
03:33And then the best of the best are invited to World Gay Rodeo Finals.
03:36We're the face of the organization.
03:38We help raise the funds.
03:39We help make it fun.
03:40So while they're out there sweating, we're sweating in makeup.
03:44How did it all come about with the gay rodeo?
03:46It started 50 years ago this year in Reno, Nevada.
03:49And we've been doing it ever since to perpetuate and continue the country western lifestyle for queer people.
03:54And then everybody's welcome at Gay Rodeo, not just the tough and, right?
03:59So we have a really inclusive set of rules.
04:02And we are very welcoming.
04:04You know, a lot of our contestants are straight.
04:06We're not just for gay people.
04:07And we're an amateur rodeo.
04:08So we want to be really open to everybody.
04:10You're amazing out there.
04:12Thanks, Tequila.
04:13Of course.
04:14First things first, rodeo school with our very own cowboy, JR.
04:20Nice to meet you.
04:21My name is Martin.
04:22I am JR.
04:23This is Enya.
04:24Enya.
04:25So what happens today is that you are taught the basics.
04:28You're taught the techniques.
04:29Yeah.
04:30And then from that, you get to try the actual event, right?
04:33So we'll put you with the real animal.
04:35And then you'll do shoot-dogging, for instance, right?
04:38Going out there, wrestling the animal, throwing it down to the ground.
04:41And that's the event.
04:42Go!
04:43Go!
04:44Go!
04:45Go!
04:46Go!
04:47Go!
04:48Oh, geez!
04:49I mean, obviously, coming from Ireland, we don't have much experience with rodeos.
04:52But one of the things I always had in my head was that it was such a hyper-masculine sport.
04:58I'm saying that as a gay man, but I never thought it would be a place where a gay man could be welcomed, to be totally honest with you.
05:05I suppose I was very narrow-minded coming into this.
05:08You know, I'm just kind of baffled that you're never connected to, like, rodeos and the gay community.
05:13But I suppose it's a bit similar to how these are so consumed by this.
05:17This is, like, rural life to them.
05:19We're in Ireland, GAA, you know, people who live in rural Ireland are, like, consumed by the GAA.
05:24So I suppose it's similar in that sense.
05:26Good morning, everybody.
05:28Welcome to Phoenix.
05:29There's some safety rules.
05:31Stay out of the way of the cattle.
05:34The cattle will run over you once in a while.
05:37Oh!
05:38Oh!
05:39Oh!
05:40Oh!
05:41Oh!
05:42Oh!
05:43No on-site ambulance during the rodeo still.
05:44You know, if you guys wanted to try something today, I would do cap roping and goat dressing.
05:48Goat dressing is probably one of the most fun events.
05:50So you run up, you put underwear on a goat, and you run back.
05:52You do that in Calcuttary.
05:53Sounds cool.
05:54You know, in the opposite way.
06:02Turns out that learning the ropes actually meant learning to rope.
06:06Nice to meet you, Jen.
06:07Pleasure to meet you.
06:08What are you roping me into?
06:10This is one of our entry events.
06:12This is an event that anyone can do.
06:14You don't need a horse.
06:15Up and around.
06:17Don't think you got it.
06:19Up.
06:20See, that's the problem already.
06:21Maybe my wrist is too stiff.
06:23Oh, I keep...
06:25Pick a lot.
06:27Hang on, so...
06:28Fire hydrant.
06:29I mean, a lot of people go on about how hard it is to let Sue, but let's be honest here.
06:35I learned very, very quickly.
06:37Or so I thought, until I saw Enya loving it under the guidance of her mentor.
06:41Janet.
06:42This should be a class in itself, learning how to reel this rope in.
06:46I think I'm doing this right, am I?
06:48Lassoing looks a lot easier in the cartoon, but there's actually a technique.
06:51It's all in the wrist.
06:52How you like pull the rope and stuff like that.
06:54Over it.
06:55Oh!
06:56I was going to lasso a calf and I nearly got Janet in a headlock.
06:59God love her.
07:00I would say I'm still a novice, but I'm getting better.
07:07Put it this way, I wouldn't rely on me in an emergency.
07:10I couldn't help but feel concerned for the animals.
07:17I'm usually the one cheering when a matador gets a bathroom, but I'd been promised by the
07:22animal welfare officer that this gay rodeo takes really good care of its animals.
07:27And of its riders.
07:28Come on now.
07:29No, no, no man.
07:30Yeah.
07:31It'll take more than they promised to rope me in.
07:33I need to talk to the production company first to say from the George.
07:36While I ran for cover, lovely Jen, my lasso teacher, was killing it in the ring.
07:42Jen's philosophy is a simple one.
07:45Grab life by the horns.
07:47You find something you love, you figure everyday life comes with its own stresses for all of
07:52us.
07:53And when those stresses get amplified, whether you get a new loss of work or you work in
07:57a high-stress job, you're a firefighter, a cub, a doctor.
08:01This is an escape from all that.
08:03So to be able to go somewhere and breathe, it's just you against the animals.
08:09Nothing else matters.
08:10What Jen said about life coming with its stresses and the need for escape resonates here more
08:20than most places, especially now.
08:23There was a sense that this safe space is under threat in the uncertain atmosphere of
08:28American gender politics.
08:30Something that our friend JR, a member of the Air Force, is all too aware of.
08:35In the past month, there's been a lot going on with in terms of all the policies and the
08:39federal regulations that have been put in place that are really impactful to us in
08:44a negative manner.
08:46And so there is a lot of uncertainty and fear around all these things.
08:51Like, where will it stop?
08:53Does it just stop with the trans athletes?
08:56Yeah.
08:57Does it stop with trans people?
09:00You know, there's a court case going on about marriage equality.
09:04I'm bringing that back into question.
09:06And so, you know, we don't know how much more there is to go.
09:10And we have four years of this out.
09:13Like, we do tend to look to the U.S. when it comes to progressiveness, especially on civil rights
09:19and things like that.
09:20But there's a real sense that all of that's kind of getting rolled back now.
09:24Yeah.
09:25So it's interesting that you say that.
09:27We talked about how when the U.S. takes a step forward, everyone comes with us.
09:32And then when we take a step back, everyone also falls back.
09:35And so we don't want to just watch as to see what comes next and where will it end.
09:40We want to take that stand now so that the world doesn't revolve backwards as well.
09:46From talking to people, you know, I've got a real sense that they feel as though, with these new policies,
09:52that rights are being rolled back, which is kind of crazy in 2025.
09:59And they're really fighting to maintain their foothold.
10:04But at the same time, they're promoting the sport.
10:07And I fear that in time, with the way the policies are at the moment,
10:10and how conservative the sport was traditionally, that this sport may, in fact, roll back also.
10:19From U.S. servicemen like J.R. to teachers and doctors,
10:23everyone here is here because they want to be.
10:26It's a tribe and a way of life.
10:29Savannah and Tater both spend their weekends on the road chasing rodeos.
10:34Tell me about this kind of lifestyle.
10:36It's expensive. It doesn't pay you back in a single bit.
10:39That's all I get.
10:40It really doesn't.
10:41You pay a lot of entry fees and everything like that.
10:44And, you know, on technicality, we're just here for the fun of it.
10:47And if we bring money home, cool.
10:49But usually you come home with not a lot.
10:52I suppose it's like if you could do anything for free,
10:55you would still do this.
10:57Oh, yeah.
10:58Yeah.
10:59So what events have you got?
11:00Steer, riding, cap rope on foot.
11:01Goat dressing.
11:02There was that word again.
11:04Goat dressing.
11:05I had to find out what that's all about.
11:08We can show you on the dog.
11:10Yeah.
11:11So he's going to grab the back legs,
11:14and I'm going to hold here, and he's going to pull the underwear onto the goat.
11:18Well, I wish you the best of luck.
11:20For two experienced old rodeo hands, they seemed very excited at the prospect of the goat dressing.
11:26So we made our way to the ring, ready to give goat dressing a go.
11:30Do you think she was messing when she said that they bite?
11:33No, of course they bite.
11:35There's the goat there, look.
11:38Ah, he's got horns.
11:40He's got horns, though.
11:42This is like a fever dream.
11:44I thought it was a joke.
11:45I know they say no animals were harmed in the event, but, Jesus, even a goat has to have some self-respect.
11:55You have to hold the goat's legs, and your partner has to put the knickers on the goat.
11:59So, yeah, that was eye-opening.
12:02Our rodeo school cowboy, JR, was first in line.
12:06And I've got to say, he competed in style and took home the trophy.
12:10I'm impressed, I'm impressed, well done.
12:13We'd managed to avoid being thrown into the ring with wild animals, and putting undies on a goat.
12:19But I still feel we earned a real cowboy hat.
12:23Try this one.
12:24That goes sheriffized.
12:26I really like this white one.
12:28I reckon we could take over Arizona.
12:30Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers.
12:32Yeah.
12:33Dallas, who shot JR?
12:35Where is JR, actually?
12:43Lookin' the part with real cowboy hats, Enya and I were ready to take on the rodeo.
12:49While Enya's lasso mentor, Janet, was preparing for the next event with a real horse.
12:54What's this girl's name?
12:55It's his crush.
12:56Crush!
12:57Do you want to put the bread on?
12:58Yeah, do you want to show me?
12:59Yeah, I'll show you.
13:00So, first things first, you always prepare yourself in case the horse goes free.
13:05You'll never know.
13:06They're horses.
13:07Don't tell me that.
13:08So, growing up, there's a lot of wild horses within my estate, my neighbourhood, and I
13:16kind of had negative experiences with them, which wasn't the horse's fault.
13:19So, to be beside one today, it was a bit unnerving, but Janet just made the whole experience
13:24really relaxing.
13:25And, yeah, it was really good to kind of get that experience, and I kind of got over my
13:30fear a bit.
13:31Feel the fear, do it anyway.
13:32Okay.
13:33I feel like a pro now.
13:34What is it that you love so much about it that keeps you coming back?
13:36The people.
13:37The people?
13:38The relationships?
13:39Yep.
13:40Have you made friendships?
13:41This is family.
13:42Ah, that's lovely.
13:43Like a community?
13:44Oh, yeah.
13:45Everybody helps each other.
13:46I'd always thought rodeo was a dangerous place, yet this was a safe space for this community.
13:52A rainbow rodeo where people found companionship and comfort.
13:55So, are you like mom and son?
13:57What's the deal?
13:58Well, at my first rodeo, Jen kind of adopted me.
14:01I had no idea what I was doing.
14:04We tend to become one big family.
14:06Ah.
14:07So, if we see someone struggling, we help them.
14:09Even though in the future, chances are they're going to beat us.
14:12It doesn't matter, because they win.
14:14It's like we win.
14:15I mean, this isn't your full-time job.
14:18What did you do?
14:19I worked for the Philadelphia Police Department.
14:21You were a cop.
14:22Yes, I was a cop.
14:23And how about yourself?
14:24I noticed you've got fantastic nails.
14:26Ah, thank you.
14:27Well, did it represent anything?
14:29No, I just found a color at Walgreens that I liked.
14:32And would you feel comfortable being yourself at other rodeos that wouldn't be gay rodeo?
14:36Honestly, if you had asked me five years ago, I would have said no.
14:41I started coming into my own rather recently.
14:45It can be a bit intimidating.
14:46I work in a very conservative industry, and I'm still very careful about who I tell that I do this, that I'm openly bi, because it could cost me my job in a lot of places.
14:57Do you think that with the new policies in that those rights are going to be rolled back, it's becoming a little bit more conservative?
15:03Is it a little bit more precarious being out?
15:06There's a time that we didn't have all these rights, and we got them.
15:10We just got to roll the tape and do it again.
15:13I actually think it's going to bring a lot of our community closer together.
15:16We need more of a sense of community today more than ever.
15:18Thank you all for being here.
15:19Thank you all for being here.
15:20I love you.
15:27This community clearly means the world to them, and the more we talked, the more I could sense a real fear that politics and power mongers might bring about the end of their world.
15:42I wanted to find out more from a lady who's seen Hard Knocks.
15:46How did you get into the gay rodeo stuff?
15:48Well, it started out when I was volunteering for about 30 hours a week for HIV AIDS epidemic back in the 80s.
15:55And I realized that they needed help, and people were looking at them like a leper.
15:59So that started the compassion, and then my love of horses has been there since I was five.
16:04How has the landscape changed from when you got into the rodeo to now?
16:09I've been marching and doing everything.
16:11I mean, from San Francisco across the United States, Woodstock, you name it.
16:15And now it's gone.
16:17All of our rights are gone.
16:20LGBTQ did not exist.
16:22Transgender did not exist.
16:24He's an idiot.
16:25I'm sorry.
16:26Our president.
16:27Do you think those people are worried?
16:29Are you getting that sense?
16:31We're worried.
16:32We're scared.
16:33We are.
16:34It's going backwards instead of forwards.
16:36Yeah.
16:37Well, history is doomed to repeat itself if you don't learn the first time.
16:40It's so unusual, because you're so forthcoming with your opinion.
16:44Well, actually, a lot of people are afraid to give their opinion.
16:47It seems like it's extremely divisive at the moment.
16:49Yes.
16:50My history, I was born and raised in Germany and left there when I was 12 to come to Colorado.
16:55But I went every summer for three, four months.
16:57I went back and stayed with my grandmother, whose husband was an SS officer for Hitler.
17:04He led the death camp patrol with the tanks.
17:08That was hard for me to digest.
17:13So I'm watching all of this happen, and it just breaks my heart.
17:16There are protests going on already everywhere.
17:18We've lost thousands, and people are losing their jobs just because they believe in being kind.
17:26Seriously.
17:27I hope I'm wrong, but for the time being, I'm going to enjoy my life.
17:30I hope you're wrong.
17:31Yeah, no, I'm going to enjoy my life.
17:32I'm going to be grateful for every moment I have on the top side.
17:35And you know what?
17:36That's the place that I disagree for.
17:37Even amongst all that, in this pocket of space, we're going to enjoy ourselves here.
17:41And we're going to be ourselves.
17:42Oh, here we can let Luke.
17:43Make the most of it.
17:44Stand in your power, be who you are, and love who you are.
17:47Serious words, but now time for some serious fun.
17:57And the only thing I have in common with a horse is two left feet.
18:00Any kind of dancing, any dance experience at all.
18:03I wouldn't be familiar with line dancing, but I've seen it, and it looks like it's something I'd enjoy.
18:08So this is a line dance that is really easy.
18:11The whole point of it is actually to be a good introductory beginner line dance.
18:16One, two, step, together, step, touch, point, together.
18:21Rock in the chair, eighth of a turn, rotating on your toes.
18:25And then back.
18:26How's it feel?
18:27Yeah, yeah, yeah.
18:28Good step.
18:29Six, seven, eight.
18:34Come out tonight.
18:35It's going to be a good time.
18:36We enjoy that.
18:37Great job.
18:38I'll stick to the comedy.
18:46We were having great crack, but it was time to stand aside and watch the main event, which involves a large angry animal with gigantic horns and the deadliest ride in the world.
18:57And by deadly, I mean properly dangerous.
18:59One time for the risk takers.
19:00One time for the trouble makers.
19:01You guys are the real bull riders?
19:02I think he's a real bull rider.
19:03This is my first time at a rodeo.
19:04How do you feel about that?
19:05Nervous?
19:06I did.
19:07Yeah?
19:08Yeah.
19:09I would be breaking it.
19:10According to him, you're the pro.
19:11Yeah?
19:12Yeah, yeah, yeah.
19:13Don't be all humble.
19:14I've been playing a belt to her for three years now.
19:16And I've been riding for like 10 years.
19:17So what kind of injuries can you expect from this kind of, especially the bull riding?
19:21So I've gotten my arm broken four times and reconstructed.
19:24Four times.
19:25I popped out the shoulder last year at finals.
19:26Messed up both of my knees.
19:27Broken hand.
19:28Broke my thumb.
19:29Broke my nose.
19:30And too many concussions to count.
19:31But.
19:32And you're going to be playing a belt to her for three years now.
19:33And I've been riding for like 10 years.
19:34So what kind of injuries can you expect from this kind of, especially the bull riding?
19:37So I've gotten four, my arm broken four times and reconstructed four times.
19:41Popped out the shoulder last year at finals.
19:44Messed up both of my knees.
19:47Broken hand.
19:48Broke my thumb.
19:49Broke my nose.
19:50And too many concussions to count.
19:53And you're going back up there.
19:55Yeah.
19:56Yeah.
19:57I think like after the first time you broke your arm.
20:00That's what my mom said too.
20:02Yeah?
20:03Yeah.
20:04So are you excited?
20:05Nervous?
20:06Yeah, I'm excited.
20:07Yeah?
20:08Well listen, I'll be cheering you on.
20:11And so you're a newbie?
20:12Pretty much, yeah.
20:13This will be my third ride ever actually.
20:16Any advice for the newbie?
20:18How to not break an arm?
20:19Just squeeze your legs and let down.
20:21Yeah?
20:22Yeah, that's it.
20:23I'll be cheering you on from the safety behind this fence.
20:27Best of luck.
20:30In my business we say break a leg but I don't think that's right.
20:33I just like, you know, I go out on the weekend for a buzz.
20:48Like these people are just hopping on balls for the crack and just getting flung around.
20:51Like I just, I don't get that aspect.
20:54But look, each to their own, live and let live.
20:57This is the guy we were talking to earlier.
20:58He's like considered a pro by the rest.
21:01The one with all the injuries.
21:03Yeah, I'm starting to see him blessing himself in the shoe.
21:06I'd bless myself too.
21:12Look at the hole in that knee.
21:13That was a bad one.
21:19It's not under the ball that I'd be afraid of.
21:22Under us, on top of us.
21:24Anywhere near us.
21:25Oh, here we go.
21:26Oh, God!
21:29How do you think that went?
21:30Tough.
21:33Well, I don't think there's been many words to describe it.
21:36It didn't go very well.
21:37I think you did great.
21:38You went up there for how long?
21:39I think it was, oh, three jumps.
21:41Three jumps.
21:42So, one and a half seconds maybe.
21:44You only have to do six seconds.
21:48What I'm saying is, that sounded really bad.
21:51Like, yeah, if I would do even two seconds.
21:53But, like, you did 1.5 seconds in your first attempt.
21:56Yeah.
21:57And it was lots of fun, but...
21:59That was amazing.
22:00My goodness, that's the scariest bull I've ever ridden.
22:02I mean...
22:03Yeah.
22:04Yeah.
22:05Third time's the charm, though.
22:06Will you go back up?
22:07I believe so.
22:08Those bulls are as big as cars.
22:10Jeeps!
22:11Fridges!
22:12Would you do it?
22:13Not for all the money in the world, man.
22:15Not for all the money in the world.
22:16No way.
22:20And at Gay Rodeo, when the going gets tough,
22:22the tough get partying.
22:24Swapping the dirt and dust for glitz and glitter.
22:27And instead of busting bones, busting a few moves.
22:30Oh, yeah!
22:31J.R. dragged Enya onto the floor.
22:33So you can say no to a man who can whip a pair of undies onto a goat
22:37and wreck our time.
22:38I've never actually danced before with anyone.
22:41I was never asked him to dance in school.
22:43So for J.R. to do that, and he was a great teacher as well,
22:47that was a really wholesome experience.
22:53It's such a lovely atmosphere here.
22:55When they say, like, it's a place where everyone should feel welcome,
22:59like, they mean it, I definitely get that sense here.
23:02Rodeos are tough.
23:03Full of people tough enough to stand together and be who they are.
23:07Tough enough to show kindness in a changing world.
23:11That was fab.
23:12That was absolutely amazing crack.
23:15It was a great tie.
23:17Tie ends to a great weekend.
23:19I never considered going to a gay rodeo.
23:21I didn't even know they existed before this.
23:23Would I go again?
23:24The best crack?
23:25Yeah, that best crack.
23:26Go left.
23:35Hi, Maritain.
23:36Are you ready to dive into the world of aesthetics?
23:39Is your face a bit too elongated?
23:41Like a horse.
23:42Doing what I'm doing.
23:43I don't think it's healthy.
23:44I don't.
23:45The Toome County Galway part of me is saying,
23:47would you ever cop onto yourself?
23:54I don't think it's a medical issue as an absolute occurrence.
23:55I won't say I am trying to gypsy.
23:56I am playing this video sometimes
23:57like I am like.
23:57Soon, do you think I will be smoking?
23:58I will ever stop.
23:59I will never say I land on the street.
24:00I coefficients my eyes down the street at home.
24:01But I do not have to do it in.
24:02So, informally, I don't have to sit down the street
24:03and feel off for a sign of knowing.
24:04I usually don't have to work on and the job.
24:05I cannot resign.
24:06A busy day.
24:07Very good night.
24:08Soładkin was enough to wait
24:21You
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