The image of the cowboy has long been one of rugged—and straight—masculinity. From John Wayne strutting his stuff across countless classic films, to the Marlboro Man reinforcing the concept through the advertising world, and pop culture in general rarely deviating from presenting the cowboy within a very specific set of rules. But as we know, rules are made to be broken.
“Queens & Cowboys: A Straight Year on the Gay Rodeo,” the forthcoming documentary by filmmaker Matt Livadary, brings viewers into the world of the International Gay Rodeo Association. For more than three decades, IGRA has been roping and riding across the country with competitions just as fierce as those on the “straight” circuit, all while giving the LGBT community a safe and open space to participate, changing ideas of what it means to be a cowboy along the way. And this exclusive trailer shows the triumphs and heartache involved for all.
The documentary will make its world premiere at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival on Friday, January 31st at 8PM at Metro 4 Theater 4. Watch below.
