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San Diego Gay Rodeo Poised to Return in 2025 | San Diego Magazine

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San Diego Gay Rodeo Poised to Return in 2025 | San Diego Magazine


Stop by The Loft on 5th Avenue on a Saturday afternoon, and you might find Andy Siekkinen in a cowboy hat and a red rodeo sash, carrying a platter of Jell-o shots. Don’t be fooled by his understated demeanor and quiet smile—Siekkinen is royalty. Gay rodeo royalty, that is. 

This year, Siekkinen was the first runner-up for Mr. International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA). In the past two years, he won the distinctions Mr. Golden State Gay Rodeo (GSGRA) and Mr. Palm Springs Hot Rodeo. Despite all these titles, he’s relatively new to the world of rodeo. 

Siekkinen grew up on a dairy farm in Ohio, but he had never ridden a horse until three years ago, when he learned about gay rodeo and started training to compete. Now, it is a central part of his life. And those red and green Jell-o shots he’s hawking have an important role to play—Siekkinen is raising funds to revive the San Diego Gay Rodeo, a once-raucous annual event that hasn’t taken place in 14 years. 

Courtesy of Gay Rodeo History

San Diego’s first Gay Rodeo was held in 1989. It continued annually up until 2010, when low membership caused it to shutter. The rodeos are completely volunteer-run, so without actively recruiting members and training new leadership, “you don’t have enough critical mass to keep going,” Siekkinen explains. 

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But Siekkinen believes now is the perfect time for the event to return to our city. Mainstream culture has a renewed interest in the Western aesthetic: Cowboy boots are trending, Yellowstone is streaming, and pop stars have started releasing country songs. “Right now, we’re in an upswing,” Siekkinen says. “You can just feel it.” 

Longtime San Diego resident Tim Lowry attended the first-ever San Diego Gay Rodeo. “It was in Lakeside, and we were all worried about getting beat up,” he recalls. But that didn’t stop him from attending. There was too much fun to be had. Thousands of people packed an event hall at the rodeo, line dancing. “I loved me some cowboys and a twirl across the floor,” Lowry says. 

A Golden State Gay Rodeo Association event
Courtesy of Golden State Gay Rodeo Association

What makes a gay rodeo different from a “straight rodeo?” Well, beyond the traditional roping and rough stock competitions, there are events you just won’t find anywhere else—like Steer Decorating, in which a pair of competitors must tie a ribbon to a steer’s tail, or Goat Dressing, in which contestants must wrestle a goat into a pair of tighty-whities and race back across the finish line before the underwear falls down. Then there’s the Wild Drag Race, where a participant has to jump on the back of a steer dressed in full drag. “It’s pure chaos,” Siekkinen says. 

But it’s not all horseplay. Another integral aspect of the event is charity. America’s first gay rodeo, held in Reno in 1976, raised money for a Thanksgiving dinner at a home for the elderly, and subsequent rodeos have donated their profits to muscular dystrophy and HIV research, among other social needs. 

“Our rodeos aren’t just for the LGBTQ community,” Siekkinen says. “I like to say they’re for anybody who’s not an asshole.” In May, one of the bull riders at the Las Vegas Gay Rodeo made his gay rodeo debut after only competing in traditional rodeos. He joined to get involved in the LGBTQ community and support his 13-year-old child who had come out as non-binary. He won the Sportsmanship Award by a landslide, Siekkinen remembers.

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Siekkinen isn’t the only one striving to bring the gay rodeo back to town. Tessa Trujillo is working the crowd at The Loft, charming customers and delivering shots. Her voice carries across the patio, punctuated by an infectious laugh. “I’m a people person,” she says.

The Palm Springs Hot Rodeo a regional event as part of the Golden State Gay Rodeo Association featuring cowboys practicing their lassos
Courtesy of Palm Springs Hot Rodeo

Trujillo has spent all her life in San Diego. “My family has been in California since before there was a California,” she tells me. Her grandfather was a cattle farmer. Like Siekkinen, she found her way into the gay rodeo circuit in recent years. “I’ve been to straight rodeos,” she says. “But I never felt at home.” 

When she attended a gay rodeo in Scottsdale, she became hooked. She was crowned Miss Palm Springs Hot Rodeo in 2022 and Miss Golden State Gay Rodeo in 2023. But she wanted her hometown to experience the same energy and community. “I got this urge,” she says. “I thought, ‘I’m gonna bring this back to San Diego.’” 

Trujillo has stayed true to her word. She has thrown herself into planning, recruiting members, and fundraising––she orchestrates pool tournaments, raffles, barbecues. “It’s a lot of work, but I love it,” Trujillo says. “I’m good at it.”

Winners of the 2023 International Gay Rodeo featuring cowboys and drag queens wearing sashes
Courtesy of International Gay Rodeo Association

This year, Trujillo became the first-ever Mx. Golden State Gay Rodeo, a new distinction that Siekkinen helped establish in an effort to make GSGRA more inclusive. The pre-existing royalty categories were Mr., Ms., Miss, and MsTer, the latter two awarded to drag queens and kings, respectively. 

At the annual IGRA convention, Siekkinen proposed adding a Mx. title. He had noticed he wasn’t seeing a lot of non-binary and gender-nonconforming individuals in the rodeo community. “I want everybody to know they’re welcome,” he says. “We need to make sure we’re not stuck in the past. We have to evolve and change and bring younger people in.” The committee took a vote and it passed unanimously.

Trujillo and Siekkinen are hoping to revive the San Diego Gay Rodeo as soon as 2025. There are many steps to the process: graduating from a club to a chapter, becoming a 501(c)3, and raising a lot more money. But Siekkinen is optimistic. “Those early rodeos were wild,” he says. “That’s why so many people would come—because it was such an experience. To recapture that, we have to look to the future and make sure we are part of it.”

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San Diego, CA

San Diego Padres Daily Farm Report: June 28

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San Diego Padres Daily Farm Report: June 28


Chihuahuas 10, Round Rock Express 0

Key Statistics: DH Tirso Ornelas, 1-for-5, R, HR (10), 4 RBI; LF Cal Mitchell, 2-for-4, 2 R; SS Mason McCoy, 2-for-4, R, 2B, RBI; C Chandler Seagle, 2-for-4, R, 2 RBI; RHP Sean Reynolds, 3 IP, H, BB, 4 K; RHP Kevin Kopps, IP, K; RHP Glenn Otto, 2 IP, 2 H, BB, 4 K; LHP Luke Westphal (W, 1-1) 2 IP, 2 K

Chandler Seagle went deep for his first time with El Paso. (Photo: Jorge Salgado)

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Prospect Watch: The Chihuahuas used a 10-run attack to blow past the Express on the road. It was El Paso’s second shutout of the series and all four of their whitewashings for the year have come in the Round Rock. … The big hit Friday night came off the bat of Tirso Ornelas, who stroked a grand slam – his tenth homer of the year. The 24-year-old is doing his part to earn his first promotion to the big leagues. He has five homers in June to go with a fantastic .960 OPS. Overall, Ornelas has a solid wRC+ of 119 while sporting a career-best 16.6% K-rate. … Light-hitting catcher Chandler Seagle singled twice and drove in a pair of runs. With Brett Sullivan in San Diego, Seagle has seen an increase in playing time. His current .566 OPS is right on par with his career .564 mark. However, Seagle has played seven professional seasons because he’s a fantastic defensive catcher and an asset to any pitching staff. … The Chihuahuas used five pitchers to bullpen their way to victory. Sean Reynolds pitched the first three, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out four. The former first baseman and current reliever has struggledin June, allowing at least two runs in four of his seven outings. While he’s 51 in 39.2 innings on the year, he continues to struggle with his command. He’s walked more than 15% of the batters he’s faced this year, in line with his performance since moving to the mound in 2021. … Lefty Luke Westphal followed Reynolds and pitched two innings to earn his first win in affiliated ball since 2022 when he was in his first stint in the Padres’ organization. The 35-year-old re-signed with the Padres earlier this month after a stint in Tijuana with the Toros. Westphal has not allowed a run in four of his six outings while notching 13 strikeouts in 13.1 innings this season. 

Roster Moves: Lefty Austin Davis had his contract purchased by the Padres, giving him a big league roster spot for the first time since 2022. The Padres signed Nabil Crismatt to a minor league deal and assigned him to El Paso. 

Missions 5, Midland RockHounds 3

Key Statistics: CF Ripken Reyes, 2-for-5, 2B; DH Brandon Valenzuela, 1-for-5; LF Cole Cummings, 2-for-3, R, 2B, BB, SB (7); SS Ray-Patrick Didder, 1-for-4, R, HR (6), 3 RBI; 2B Connor Hollis, 2-for-4, 2B, RBI; RHP Victor Lizarraga (W, 3-3) 6 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 7 K; RHP Ethan Routzahn (S, 2) IP, H, K

Victor Lizarraga delivers for the Missions. (Photo: Vashaun Newman)

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Prospect Watch: The Missions overcame a 3-0 deficit to win, clinching at least a series split heading into the weekend. … Shortstop Ray-Patrick Didder had the big hit of the game, smacking a go-ahead three-run homer with two outs in the fifth inning. The blast was Didder’s sixth of the year, keeping him on track to finish his third straight season with a double-digit total. The 29-year-old from Aruba has drawn 37 walks this year, giving him a solid .380 on-base percentage, despite hitting just .222. His .751 OPS is the best among Missions’ regulars. … Cole Cummings had a multi-hit effort with a double and a single. He also drew a walk and stole his seventh base for good measure. The 26-year-old has had a solid June, delivering an OPS of .800 with three homers. Cummings continues to punch out too much, as his 32% K-rate is the seventh-highest in the Texas League. Despite the strikeouts, Cummings has posted above-average offensive numbers in AA – an impressive feat for a former undrafted free agent. … Victor Lizarraga overcame some early struggles and notched a quality start to earn his third win of the season. The former Montgomery High hurler lasted six innings, allowing three runs on six hits, walking two, and striking out seven. The 20-year-old righty has gone at least six innings in three consecutive outings, punching out 23 batters in 18.2 innings. His 3.68 ERA is good for seventh in the Texas League, just behind teammate Jared Kollar.

Roster Moves: Righty Cole Paplham was moved to the 60-day injured list which will effectively end his season. He had appeared in just three games since coming off a previous stay on the IL. Miguel Cienfuegos was moved to San Antonio to take the open roster spot. 

Dayton Dragons 4, TinCaps 3

Key Statistics: CF Homer Bush, 1-for-3, 2 R, BB, SB (36), CS (6); DH Jay Beshears, 1-for-3, 2B, BB, RBI; RF Kai Murphy, 2-for-3, 2 2B, RBI; RHP Henry Baez, 7 IP, 2 H, ER, 7 K; RHP Tyler Morgan (L, 4-3) 2 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 2 K

Henry Baez has been dominant this month. (Photo: Jeff Nycz)

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Prospect Watch: The TinCaps led at two different points in this one but they allowed a pair of runs in the eighth and one more in the ninth to lose their fourth straight to Dayton at Parkview Field. … Kai Murphy was the only TinCap to tally two hits Friday night. The former ASU outfielder had a pair of doubles and drove in a run. Murphy, 23, has slumped in June, notching a .605 OPS after being above .700 during April and May, but he is tied for fourth in the Midwest League with 16 doubles. … Henry Baez turned in another magnificent start but got a hard-luck no-decision. Baez completed a season-high seven innings, allowing just one run on two hits. He struck out seven and didn’t walk a batter. The 20-year-old righty has been lights-out this month, allowing just one run in each of his four starts. Baez has pitched to a sparkling 1.59 ERA as opponents have managed only a .163 average against him in June. … After Baez departed, righty Tyler Morgan struggled down the stretch and took the loss. The Abilene Christian product threw two innings, allowing three runs on four hits. The former 14th-rounder has generally pitched well as a multi-inning reliever this season, pitching to a 3.40 ERA in 21 outings. 

Roster Moves: Tyler Robertson, who left the game on Thursday and was out for almost two weeks earlier this month, hit the IL. Hot-hitting Nick Vogt was promoted from Lake Elsinore and will add needed outfield depth. The Padres also sent versatile Addison Kopack out from the desert to bolster the offense while sending infielder Alain Camou back to Lake Elsinore.

Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 8, Storm 6

Key Statistics: CF Braedon Karpathios, 2-for-4, 2 R, BB; LF Jacob Campbell, 2-for-5, HR (6), 3 RBI; 1B Ethan Long, 2-for-5; DH Kaden Hollow, 2-for-4, R; C J.D. Gonzalez, 2-for-4, R, RBI; RHP Ian Koenig (L, 0-1) 2.2 IP, 8 H, 6 ER, 3 K; LHP Javier Chacon, 3.1 IP, 2 H, BB, 7 K 

Javier Chacon delivers for the Storm. (Photo: Robert Escalante)

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Prospect Watch: The Quakes jumped on Storm starter Ian Koenig in the third, scoring six runs to take a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. The Quakes win snapped their nine-game losing streak to Lake Elsinore. … Jacob Campbell, who has quietly been one of the hottest hitters in the Padres’ system, had a pair of hits, including his sixth homer of the year – a prodigious shot to left field. At 24, Campbell is a bit old for the Cal League but he’s taken advantage of his current opportunity. All six of Campbell’s homers have come in June and he’s hitting .284/.346/.622 this month. … Center fielder Braedon Karpathios had a pair of hits and drew a walk, hitting at the top of the Storm lineup. The 21-year-old has drawn his share of walks throughout his career and has started to hit the ball with more authority as he has matured. However, after a fantastic April, he’s struggled over the last two months but he’s showing signs of breaking out. Over his last five games, Karpathios has gone 7-for-19. … Catcher J.D. Gonzalez singled twice and scored a run. The 18-year-old has looked predictably overmatched at times, but he’s displaying tangible improvement as he gains experience in his maiden voyage in professional baseball. After hitting just .130 in May, Gonzalez has improved that mark to .245 in June. After striking out 25 times in 54 May at-bats, he’s struck out 10 times in 49 at-bats this month. … Lefty Javier Chacon pitched 3.1 shutout innings after Koenig departed and dominated the Quakes. He allowed just two hits, walked one, and struck out seven. The Cuba native has flourished in a move to the bullpen this season. Chacon appeared in seven games this month, pitching to a microscopic 0.56 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 16 innings.

ACL Diamondbacks 7, ACL Padres 2

Key Statistics: SS B.Y. Choi, 2-for-3, 2 R, 2B, BB; LF Colton Vincent, 2-for-4, 2B, RBI; RHP Abraham Parra (L, 0-3) 2.1 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 4 K; LHP Ruben Salinas, 2.1 IP, 4 H, ER, 3 K; RHP Zac Addkison, 3.1 IP, 4 H, ER, K

B.Y. Choi has shown surprising speed in his first year in the organization. (Photo: Jerry Espinoza)

Prospect Watch: The ACL D-backs scored five runs in the first three innings and cruised to a victory. … While the ACL Padres have struggled mightily in June, shortstop B.Y. Choi has been solid in his first full pro season. The 22-year-old shortstop had two hits, including a double and a walk. Choi has shown good power and solid tools in the desert this year. Overall, he’s delivered a .838 OPS. He could find himself in Lake Elsinore before the season is over. … Catcher/outfielder  Colton Vincent had a double and a single as part of a multi-hit night. The 24-year-old made brief appearances in Lake Elsinore and Fort Wayne this season but has spent the majority of the year in the desert. Vincent has hit over .300 in all three spots, including a .306 mark in the ACL in his second pro season. He signed with the Padres last season, after playing his college ball at Florida State. … Lefty Ruben Salinas followed starter Abraham Parra and pitched well. The former outfielder completed 2.1 innings and allowed a run on four hits, striking out three. The 21-year-old has built up slowly in the desert after undergoing Tommy John surgery last season shortly after converting to the mound. Overall, he’s pitched to a 4.41 for the ACL club this season.

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Roster Moves: The Padres officially moved pitcher Henry Martinez and outfielder Donte Grant to the 60-day IL. They now have 20 players on either the 60-day or full-season IL, the maximum they are allowed. The club currently has 153 players on active domestic rosters as they approach the draft.



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Man hit, killed in Carlsbad; arrest made

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Man hit, killed in Carlsbad; arrest made


CARLSBAD, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — Officers made an arrest in Carlsbad early Friday after a man was struck by a vehicle and killed, police said.

Shortly before 3:30 a.m., Carlsbad police went to the 2300 block of Rue Des Chateaux, near Buena Vista Lagoon, after receiving a call about an altercation, the department said. The caller later told police that one of the people involved had been hit by a vehicle.

Officers arrived to find an injured man near the road, police said. Oceanside Fire Department arrived and tried to save the man, but he died.

A few minutes later, officers saw a vehicle leaving the scene and stopped it in the 700 block of Raintree Drive, police said. Officers detained the driver and passengers inside, police said.

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Police booked Robert Owens, 41-year-old Escondido resident, into Vista Detention Facility on suspicion of murder.

Authorities have not released the name of the victim.



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US Navy sailors killed in fiery I-5 crash identified

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US Navy sailors killed in fiery I-5 crash identified


SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The two U.S. Navy sailors who died in a fiery, “chain reaction” crash on Interstate 5 near Camp Pendleton that killed one other person and injured five were identified by military officials on Friday.

Stephen Jermaine Williams, 37, and Jess Lee Davis, 38, were named as the two motorcyclists affiliated with the military killed in the pile-up. Both were highly decorated officers, according to naval officials, who had been based in San Diego during their respective careers.

The third individual killed in the crash on Thursday, a civilian, has not yet been identified, nor has any additional information about the people injured been disclosed.

“The Navy family mourns the loss of two shipmates in Thursday’s traffic accident,” U.S. Navy spokesperson Brian O’Rourke said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Sailors’ families, friends and coworkers, and we ask they be afforded privacy during this difficult time.”

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Williams, a Damage Controlman 1st Class originally from Texas, was last stationed at the Southwest Regional Maintenance Center in San Diego. According to a naval spokesperson, he was in between duty stations at the time of the crash.

Since enlisting in 2006, the sailor had earned decorations like a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and a Meritorious Unit Commendation among other things.

Davis, a Culinary Specialist Submarines 1st Class originally from Tennessee, was stationed on the USS Alexandria in Los Angeles prior to the collision. He had previously been based at Naval Base Point Loma at least two times during his career, military officials said.

He enlisted in 2005, earning several awards like two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals and a National Defense Service Medal.

The collision, which involved two cars and four motorcycles, happened just before 3 a.m. near the Las Pulgas exit on southbound I-5. The “chain reaction” crash began after a Jeep veered off the roadway, California Highway Patrol said.

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As a result of the crash, all lanes of southbound I-5 were closed for seven hours, with two reopening around 11 a.m. The scene was completely cleared 12 hours after the incident.

An investigation into the collision remains ongoing. At this time, it is unknown if drugs or alcohol played a role in the collision.



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