Filmmaker and photographer LUKE GILFORD was born in Denver, Colorado in the heart of rodeo country   No escaping it for him growing up as his father was a champion bull rider and later a judge in the Professional Bull Riding Association.

Fast forward and Gilford’s work has been exhibited around the world, including MoMA in New York and FOAM in Amsterdam, as well as at Sundance’s NEXT festival. Then he spent over three years documenting the International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA), the sole organizing body for LGBTQ+ cowboy and cowgirl communities in North America. At last with their safe spaces for all races and gender expressions, hat he began to see himself as part of a rodeo family.

Part of this has ended up in a glorious book called NATIONAL ANTHEM of very rich and powerful images that portray Gilford’s very intimate relationship with the gay rodeo community 

https://www.lukegilford.com/shop/national-anthem

All proceeds from this purchase benefit the International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA), the sole organizing body for queer cowboys and cowgirls — offering education, structured sports events, sexual health, and community resources.