The Forward Roll
My Gay Banjo: Making Noise and Looking Pretty
West Philadephia-based queer country duo My Gay Banjo has been making waves in the country music scene for three albums now.
Trixie Mattel: Getting Lucky in the Bluegrass of Kentucky
I've got parts of me in MilwaukeeAnd I've got pieces in Minne, in St. Paul
And I knew that I got lucky in the bluegrass of Kentucky
But bluegrass, you don't love me after all
No, no, bluegrass, you don't love me after all -- Trixie Mattel, "Bluegrass"
The Gay Ole Opry: Country Music for All Cowpeople
By creating their own space to celebrate themselves and the music they loved, they knew they could influence that culture and create new communities from people that had previously felt excluded.
TBT: Lavender Country
Wakin' up to say hip hip hooray I'm glad I'm gay
Can't repress my happiness ever since I tried your way
Gonna lay right here and greet the sun
'Cause gay time lovin's just begun
So come on, let's tumble in the hay -- Lavender Country, "Come Out Singing"
Representation Matters: Niki Savage on the Importance of Bluegrass Pride
People get really excited when they hear bluegrass, and even more excited when they realize it's music that they can create themselves. I think demonstrating that it's an open, welcoming community based on passion for the music will help people see themselves as someone who could play bluegrass.