8/2, 8/9 Gay Rodeo protest (& 8/10 KFC demo cancelled)

[Guest guest]

Please join local gay animal advocates in peacefully protesting the

upcoming Bay Area gay rodeo! We'll be alongside the rodeo promoters

at the NE corner of 18th & Castro (the BofA building) from 1:00-2:30

on Sat. 8/2 and Sat. 8/9.

 

Though queer and non-queer persons of all genders are needed, we

could really use some female volunteers, as we have only men lined

up so far, and quite a few of the rodeo participants are women. If

we can take over that busy intersection, we'll really have an impact

on the local gay community, and I believe the rodeo is already

hurting from our activities the last two years. It may also help get

the community thinking more about animals that are abused in other

ways.

 

Signs and leaflets will be provided. We'll be using this leaflet

graciously provided by Mercy for Animals

http://rodeoabuse.com/GayRodeoLeaflet.pdf

 

Please email me (Andrew) to RSVP, or with any questions.

 

I'll also soon be posting a contact list of the current rodeo

sponsors, so that others may contact them to ask them to not support

the rodeo, as soon as the information becomes available.

 

Please note that the regularly-scheduled Bay Area Vegetarians' KFC

demonstration on 8/10 is cancelled, to allow us time to focus on

this issue.

 

Below is some information about the gay rodeo:

 

 

* Rodeo animals are not aggressive or " wild " by nature. During the

bucking and bull-riding events, the animals are provoked to buck

violently by the use of " flank straps " and spurs. The straps are

tightly cinched around their abdomens, causing the animals to buck

vigorously to try to rid themselves of the extreme discomfort. They

are also often frightened and annoyed by having a person on their

back. The rodeo organizers even brag about the result of the pain

and stress they cause the animals: " …the unpredictable bull is known

to come looking for the rider when the ride is completed. "

http://www.bayarearodeo.com/Rodeo2007/BullRiding.html

 

* In other events, terrified animals – sometimes babies –

desperately run for their lives while being chased.

 

* The violence and high-speed running can result in injuries to the

animals.

 

* The transport, confinement, unfamiliar surroundings, and pressure

to perform unnatural acts all cause stress and fear for the animals.

 

Most reasonable people would find such treatment of animals

unacceptable, if the animals involved were dogs or cats. Other

animals experience the same pain, suffering and emotions as our

beloved pets, and should receive the same consideration and respect.

 

Though the Gay Rodeo is apparently less cruel than traditional

rodeos, and has higher standards for its " animal welfare " rules, it

is still cruel and unnecessary, and penalties for violations are

insufficient. In traditional rodeos, rules are commonly flagrantly

violated and not enforced – electric or wire prods and beatings are

used to violently send the animals out of the chutes, caustic

ointments or burrs in the flank straps are used to enhance bucking,

and wounded animals often go without veterinary care. A recent

example is the documented illegal abuses at the local rodeo at

Rowell Ranch in Castro Valley

http://www.insidebayarea.com/ci_9628372. I'm not familiar with the

techniques used behind the scenes in the gay rodeos, but the

potential for further abuse is disturbing.

 

I believe that gay people should have more compassion toward others

who are oppressed and abused, and we can certainly use our

creativity to find other ways to raise money for charity and

entertain ourselves without harming others.