Growing up in Colorado with his father in the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association, Luke Gilford spent his formative years around the rodeo, an American institution that has often been associated with conservatism and homophobia. It was only later, when he discovered the International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA), that he began to see himself as part of a rodeo family. The IGRA is the organizing body for LGBTQ+ cowboy and cowgirl communities in North America--a safe space for all genders and races. The queer rodeo brings in participants from rural regions all over America for structured educational programs and competitions, facilitating opportunities to hone athletic skills, connection and care for animals, personal integrity, self-confidence and support for one another.
Gilford has spent over four years traveling the country to document this diverse and ever-evolving subculture. Shot on medium-format film and printed in a traditional darkroom, the work is detailed and rich with emotion and color. The resulting photographs are both personal and poetic--clear testaments to Gilford's intimate relationship to the community. National Anthem is a celebration of outsiders and the immense beauty of chosen families everywhere. This new edition, with never-before-seen images, is released in conjunction with the feature film adaptation of National Anthem, in theaters July 2024.
Luke Gilford (born 1986) is a writer, director and photographer from Evergreen, Colorado, and currently based in Los Angeles and New York City. Gilford's photography and films have been exhibited around the world, including MoMA in New York and FOAM in Amsterdam. His work has been featured in the New York Times, Vanity Fair and Vogue, showcasing his distinct visual language characterized by a strong sense of intimacy with his subjects.