‘Rainbow Cattle Co.’: How gay rodeo athletes demanded equal rights, one ride at a time

Road Runner Region Rodeo in Chandler, AZ. The rodeo is part of the International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA). PHoto: Robyn BECK/AFP via Getty Images.

While our cowboy fantasies may include a secret affair on the remote terrain of Brokeback Mountain, the queer-coded 1948 classic Red River, or a bedazzled set of boots to wear to Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tour, a new book dispels the myths and takes a deeper look at rodeo culture.

Dr. Nicholas Villanueva Jr.’s new book, Rainbow Cattle Co. — Liberation, Inclusion & the History of Gay Rodeo, explores rodeo not only as a sport, but also has an important part of queer identity in rural communities throughout the country. While the fight for LGBTQ+ rights

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