After years of documenting the LGBTQ rodeo culture across the American West, acclaimed photographer Luke Gilford meticulously curated his 2020 art book, National Anthem, chronicling the journeys of these queer cowboys, ranchers, and rodeo performers. Born in Colorado, Gilford grew up amid mainstream rodeo culture, which he came to see as conservative and homophobic. But then he discovered the queer rodeo community, which celebrates inclusivity and diversity. And now, he’s turned that imagery into a film of the same name, National Anthem, marking his feature film directorial debut. https://youtu.be/kFVhFkiQZVM?si=Yaq-7EcaERZuZV6y “National Anthem celebrates the beauty and resilience of the typically invisible queer bodies living their lives, discovering themselves, and falling in love within rural America,” Gilford told Queerty last year. “To me, these are the figures who return the aura of promise to the concept of America,” he continued. “They expand what it means to be an American, as well as what it means to be queer in both subtle and profound ways.” 
Charlie Plummer in National Anthem (screen capture)
National Anthem is told through the eyes of Dylan (Lean On Pete‘s Charlie Plummer), a young man living in New Mexico and working construction jobs to support his family.
When he’s offered a job at the House Of Splendor—a homestead run by a group of queer ranchers—Dylan has his eyes opened to a whole new way of life, one where his preconceived notions of gender and cowboy bravado are thrown out the door.
The more time he spends working at the House Of Splendor, the more he immerses himself in the community. Emboldened by his new surroundings, Dylan finds himself trying bull-riding for the first time, trying out drag for the first time, and even falling in love for the first time.
A scene from National Anthem (screen capture)
Official poster for National Anthem (via Variance Films)
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