Gay Rodeo Rides Bareback Into America's Heart

What's dressed up as a physical competition, but barely beneath the surface bubbles a thick undercurrent of sexual tension among powerful, fit young men? Yes, all sports. But specifically, gay rodeo!

The Liberty Gay Rodeo moseyed through Philly this weekend, replete with the usual sports like barrel racing, chute dogging and bull riding. But the gay rodeo includes a few more unorthodox disciplines:

"Goat dressing" involves two people attempting to get a pair of underwear briefs on a goat. Another gay rodeo signature, the "wild drag race," involves a man or woman, dressed in drag, trying to ride a steer across a finish line as two team members assist.

"To see these big, butch cowboys, on a steer, in these just awful wigs and dresses, is pretty entertaining," Liberty Gay Rodeo director Jim Gallucci said.

Basically, think less "Brokeback Mountain" and more "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert."

Tradition, Camp Are 2 Sides Of Gay Rodeo [AP]