Rodeo clown fired for comments about gender identity at Calhoun Co. fair
Rodeo clown fired for comments about gender identity at Calhoun Co. fair
By Clayton Cummins | Posted: Mon 6:42 PM, Aug 22, 2016 | Updated: Mon 6:43 PM, Aug 22, 2016
MARSHALL, Mich. (WILX) - One of the jobs of a rodeo clown is to provide comic relief, but a clown at the Calhoun County Fair went too far, in the eyes of organizers, when he made jokes about gender identity. ... A viewer sent News 10 video of the incident, which happened during a rodeo event at the fairgrounds on August 18.
"You're either a boy or a girl, yall understand," said "Rockin' Robbie Hodges, an independent contractor for Lost Nations Rodeo Company. "If you're confused then you need help, okay?" ... "Everybody in here who's really sure they're a boy raise your hand," said Hodges. "If you can tinkle on a fire you go to the boys room, if you can't, you go to the girls room, right?"
The crowd seemed to laugh at Hodge's comments, however fair organizers are far from laughing. ... "I was very disappointed, because we do not put on a platform for that to happen here," said Megan Harvey, the Executive Director for the Calhoun County Fair. ... The viewer who sent News 10 the video said many people left the rodeo following Hodge's comments.
The Calhoun County Fair contracted Lost Nations Rodeo Company for services. ... Shilo Walden of Lost Nations Rodeo Company says Hodges was fired after the comments were brought to his attention that night. ... Hodges was an independent contractor with the company.