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Photo Book

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By Luke Gilford
Publisher: Damiani
Publication date: 2024
Print length: 192 pages
Language: English
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Reissue of Beloved Photobook Showcasing America’s Queer Rodeo Community.

Originally immersed in the rodeo scene through his father’s involvement with the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association, Luke Gilford grew up surrounded by an institution often linked with conservatism and homophobia. However, his perspective shifted when he encountered the International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA), which became a pivotal part of his rodeo experience. The IGRA serves as a sanctuary for LGBTQ+ cowboys and cowgirls across North America, promoting inclusivity and offering a supportive environment for all genders and races.

Over four years, Gilford traveled extensively to document this vibrant and evolving subculture. Captured on medium-format film and developed in a traditional darkroom, his work exudes depth and emotion. The photographs are both personal and poetic, reflecting Gilford’s deep connection with the community. National Anthem stands as a tribute to outsiders and the profound beauty of chosen families everywhere.

This new edition, featuring previously unseen images, coincides with the release of the National Anthem film adaptation, hitting theaters in July 2024.

Luke Gilford, born in 1986, is a writer, director, and photographer from Evergreen, Colorado, now based in Los Angeles and New York City. His work has been exhibited worldwide, including at MoMA in New York and FOAM in Amsterdam, and featured in publications such as the New York Times, Vanity Fair, and Vogue.

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