* * * Movie

There are those in America who would have you believe there’s no place in country western culture for queer folk. These people might put forth that the cowboy is the ultimate sign of traditional masculinity. They might suggest that life on a ranch is so hard, it’s definitively heteronormative. They might sneer . . . that there’s no room for drag at a rodeo. Those people will so hate National Anthem.

For his feature debut, co-writer/director Luke Gilford found inspiration in his experiences as a queer kid growing up in a rodeo family . . . and his professional photography capturing queer rodeo. National Anthem is a tale not of cultures clashing, but of cultures combining. Through the story of a lonely young man, this drama explores a side of Americana that is rural and rhinestones, true grit and truly gay. The young man finds not only his first love, but also himself . . . and where welcoming community replaces acute loneliness.

Charlie Plummer stars as Dylan, an introverted 21-year-old cowboy who works long days in construction to provide for his oft-drunk single mom (Robyn Lively) and his jolly little brother. His life is one of sacrifice. He gives his time, money, and patience to their needs while ignoring his own. That is, until he meets the burly Pepe (Rene Rosado) and the breezy Sky (Bros‘ Eve Lindley).

I live deep within “ranch country” . . . many of my dearest queer friends are ranch hands (we so know rodeo !! ) . . . I strongly identify.