How gay rodeos upend assumptions about life in rural America

The 31st annual 'Gay Rodeo' held in Phoenix, AZ (Photo: Getty Images/Brit Worgan)

The misguided assumption that rural America is hopelessly backward and bigoted erases centuries of same-sex relationships in rural communities. It tells young queer people that they must flee their rural hometowns to far-flung cities in order to find safety and acceptance…