The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in Indianapolis recently opened an exhibition of 41 evocative photographs Blake Little captured in the gay rodeo scene. Blake Little: Photographs from the Gay Rodeo chronicles the story of an often-ignored part of American Western culture. Little became captivated by the gay rodeo scene in the late ’80s and began to document the lives of its contenders, victors and devoted fans. He learned to ride a steer, then a bull and became the Bull Riding Champion of the Year at the International Gay Rodeo Association in 1990. The opening marks the first time this exhibition has been on display.
Blake Little: Photographs from the Gay Rodeo is on display at The Eiteljorg through July 13.
Images courtesy of Blake Little
Gordon Fiedor, Los Angeles, California, 1989
Jerry Hubbard, Burbank, California, 1989
Rodeo Partners Gene Hubert and Rick Ferreira, Sun Valley, California, 1991
Brian Cornell and Alberto Rulloda, Hayward, California, 1989
Roping Practice, Scott Terry, Phoenix, Arizona, 1989
Steer Riding, Blake Little, Phoenix, Arizona, 1989
Bull Riders, Los Angeles, California, 1989
The Prayer, Rick Simmons, San Diego, California, 1991
Mezaien
Mama a a a WOW what a hot men. I am, so gay to be HOMO.
stranded
denim never looked so good!
TVC 15
Oh my, the man in the first pic is absolutely beautiful.
@stranded: Agreed! There’s nothing like a pair of snug-fitting, comfortable pair of straight-leg, or boot-cut jeans. They’re certainly my standard.
carey579
Denim is just okay as regular wear but I don’t understand it’s appeal as a sex fetish.
Unless they’re really really tight they don’t wrap around the body and show it off well.
Amongst regular wear – dress pants flatter the butt and legs the most imo.
And if we get really don to sexual fetish dressing then ofcourse – spandex – mesh/net – leather.
RIGay
Oh… WOOF! GORGEOUS men!
Greenman47
I knew Jerry Hubbard well (picture #2). Such a sweet guy! So very handsome, beautiful body and soul both. He was an enthusiastic dancer and a joy to hold and and to behold.
Bless him!
Chris
Nice set of pics and a interesting article thanks for posting these on line.
sejjo
Well, hello mustache!
TampaBayTed
Despite all the photos of hunky men, rodeos gay or straight are cruel sporting events.
Ogre Magi
I would rather see some gay Native Americans
Merv
Now I feel like smoking a Marlboro.
hotshot70
cowboy asses always look so good!
Aires the Ram
@TVC 15: The jeans in question, that almost all cowboys wear are Wrangler 13mwz’s.
Aires the Ram
@Ogre Magi: Then start attending rodeos (both straight & gay) west of the Mississippi River, you will see them, or the First Nations Rodeo each year in Pendleton, Oregon.
Aires the Ram
@TampaBayTed: Then you’ve never attended a rodeo, nor have you worked a rodeo in the chutes, arena or barns. Easy to say, hard to prove.
ggore
I knew, and still know, a lot of these guys from being involved with gay rodeo since 1986. Some have passed away, some have faded off into the woodwork never to be seen again, and some I am still in contact with. These pictures bring back a wealth of great memories, I would love to see this exhibition.
sacsmt2
As one of the cowboys who has somewhat disappeared from the gay rodeo scene, it’s great to see my trick roping pic in Blake’s show. Brian and Alberto, who are also featured in the show, still live in the San Francisco Bay Area, not far from me. Also, this is the second time I’ve been seen on Queerty. Queerty also ran a review of my memoir that was released in 2012, titled Cowboys, Armageddon, and The Truth: How a Gay Child was Saved from Religion. http://www.queerty.com/new-fall-memoirs-stories-for-boys-oddly-normal-beth-ditto-and-more-20121024/