Queens and Cowboys: A Straight Year on the Gay Rodeo

Director Matt Livadary spent a year with the International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA), traveling cross-country with the 5,000-plus group, most of whom are gay, although everyone is welcome. Despite IGRA's inclusiveness, some venues refuse to rent to members, some of whom keep their participation secret for fear they won't be hired at traditional rodeos. Veteran competitor Wade Earp (a descendant of Wyatt Earp), who lives on a ranch outside Dallas, is a member of the Texas chapter. Earp has won 180 buckles and aims to win another for all-around cowboy, like current champion Dave Renier, who has a whopping 732. Chris Sherman, who lives in Oklahoma, found a sense of acceptance in the IGRA that has eluded him in his small town, while Florida's Luke Lancaster competes in both gay and traditional rodeos. Char Duran, from Colorado, believes that "bull riding defines me more than being a lesbian does." For 14 years, she's been trying to win a buckle, and has suffered numerous injuries in her pursuit. Like Earp, she's in her 40s, and knows that her competitive days are limited. Duran's Colorado colleague, Ty Teigen, also lives to compete, but has had to curtail her activities while undergoing cancer treatment (Teigen died in 2012). Like other rodeo queens Ric—aka Kimberli Foxx—helps with outreach and fundraising, but attendance has declined over the past decade and several chapters have dissolved. Still, the organization shows no signs of slowing down. As Sherman puts it, "Gay rodeo is an outlet for us to be who we are." An engagingly offbeat LGBT documentary, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy)