Queens and Cowboys: A Straight Year on the Gay Rodeo

Queens and Cowboys: A Straight Year on the Gay Rodeo is a fascinating and compelling documentary that blends elements of sport, culture, character study, and social commentary together into a unique, poignant and enlightening viewing experience. Directed by Matt Livadary, and released in 2014, the film shines a spotlight on the world of the International Gay Rodeo Association and the vibrant community that surrounds it. The film presents a cast not just of characters, but of real people with tales of resilience, passion, and an ambition to redefine what it means to be a cowboy in the modern world.

The central figure in the movie is Wade Earp, a descendant of the legendary lawman Wyatt Earp. Wade is a competitor on the gay rodeo circuit, and an embodiment of the cowboy spirit – tough, rugged, dedicated and relentless. His story provides a thread through which the film navigates the complex and dynamic landscape of the gay rodeo world.

Complementing Earp in the film's rich tapestry of narratives are figures such as Char Duran, Travis Gardner, and Chris Sherman, each displaying their own unique perspectives, challenges, and inspirations. We journey with Char, who is a women’s bull riding world champion, seeking to challenge not only the law of gravity but also the societal norms. Travis and Chris both appeal to our shared human experiences of striving for recognition and negotiating spaces of acceptance, in and outside the circuit.

The film is more than just an exploration of a subculture or a sporting event. It provides a platform for its diverse cast of subjects to express and examine vital issues affecting the LGBT community, from gender roles and identity politics to societal acceptance and self-worth. It also underscores the importance of community and solidarity, with the International Gay Rodeo Association not only serving as a professional association but also as a source of support, camaraderie, and family for individuals who may often feel marginalized or misunderstood.

Queens and Cowboys showcases the beauty and intensity of rodeo itself, with the dust, sweat, and danger of the rodeo arena, the adrenaline and excitement of the competition, and the raw, visceral thrill of man versus beast battles. However, unlike a traditional sports documentary, informal conversations, intimate moments, and personal revelations are interspersed between the rides and roping, seamlessly blending aspects of drama and reality, and providing a multifaceted viewer experience.

The film's narrative also encompasses an exploration of the changing concept of the American West and its iconic cowboy figure, offering a unique perspective on what it means to be a cowboy in the 21st century. This is complemented by the stunning visual style of the film, which captures both the vast, stark beauty of the American West and the distinctive, up-close intensity of the rodeo environment.

Queens and Cowboys artfully tackles stereotypes head-on, both within and outside the LGBT community. The participants in the gay rodeo aren’t your archetypal cowboys—yet they are as authentically cowboy as it gets, battling the bulls and broncos while also fighting against cliches and prejudices. This is a testament to Matt Livadary’s skillful direction and storytelling.

Filmed over a year, ‘A straight year on the Gay Rodeo’ as the subtitle goes, befits as it steadily ushers the audience to the narrative pulse of the gay rodeo, not rushing to conclusions, but allowing the story to mature in feel and perspective.

In sum, Queens and Cowboys: A Straight Year on the Gay Rodeo is a film that integrates sport, culture, community, and entertainment to deliver a dynamic, perceptive and emotionally engaging exploration of a world that many viewers may not have previously encountered. It welcomes us into the challenging, exciting, emotional and empathetic space that is the International Gay Rodeo Association, prompting us to pause, reflect, and, perhaps, reimagine our concepts of identity, family, and what it means to be a cowboy.