'John Wayne made real movies. There ain't no queer in cowboy'

[Thom Little]

Jim-Bob Zimmerschied is not a happy cowboy. "They've gone and killed John Wayne with this movie," he says angrily, beer in hand. "I've been doing this job all my life and I ain't never met no gay cowboy. It wouldn't be right."

The target of Mr Zimmerschied's outburst is Brokeback Mountain, the Hollywood Western-with-a-twist that opens in London this week and is already being tipped for Oscar success.

.......

But the subject matter has earned condemnation from the religious Right - and caused considerable distress in rural Wyoming, bastion of the cowboy culture of unadulterated machismo.

.......

While the patrons in the Mint Bar may be convinced that they have never met a homosexual cowboy, the popularity of the gay rodeo circuit in America is proof that they exist. "I was born gay and I was born a cowboy," said Mike Yocum, a rodeo enthusiast from Oklahoma.

"I grew up in a saddle. It's horseshit to say there's no such thing as a gay cowboy, but it's a very touchy subject."



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/01/01/wbroke01.xml&sSheet=/news/2006/01/01/ixworld.html

[Wetzelbill]

1. any man who changes his name from Marion to sound tough

sounds kinda gay to me. :)

[Erika]

2. John Wayne was a whore and never a cowboy

He loved women of other races. I understand he had 7 different wives, all with kids.

[NaturalHigh]

26. He had four wives.

I don't know if he had kids with all of them. He was still married to his fourth wife when he died.

[TheBaldyMan]

3. Breakback Mountain = A nice pair of chaps?

bring back the 'Breakback Mountain made me gay' thread

[alphafemale]

4. I saw a pic of him once in shorty shorts and the cutest shoes.

series!

:D

[Paladin]

31. I've Seen That Picture

Wish I had access to it so I could post it. As I remember, it was taken in Acapulco---The Duke is in swim trunks,clogs, some sort of swishy shirt and a sombrero, and he's got his hand resting on the hand of someone lighting his cigarette. Amazing......

[Frank Cannon]

34. Here ya go. Hey, lurking Freepers, check this out!!

[Paladin]

35. YES!!! Thanks So Much

Other than the hand-on-the-cigarette-lighter thing, my memory of this incredible picture was pretty accurate. That, and I forgot about the cute shoulder bag and the male camel toe.

By the way, my favorite Western movie of all time is "Red River" with Wayne and Montgomery Clift. In a couple of reviews about "Brokeback Mountain" that I've read, "Red River" is cited is the first gay Western. Something to think about......

[FreedomAngel82]

39. Wow

So John Wayne was in a gay cowboy movie??

[smirkymonkey]

37. Is that John Wayne?

If so, very telling photo.

I have a theory that a lot of so-called "ladies men" are overcompensating to disguise thier true sexual orientation.

[Frank Cannon]

41. It is indeed

Like Paladin says, there's at least one or two other versions of this, one in which he's holding his hand out in a very Truman-Capote-like gesture while someone lights his cigarette.

I haven't seen that one in years, though. It might be in one of those Kenneth Anger "Hollywood Babylon" books.

[Paladin]

53. Appreciate The Extra Information, FC

n/t

[madeline_con]

5. Where are the cows?

The guys in the movie herd sheep.

Just had to point that out. :shrug:

[EST]

15. OMG!!

You mean...........they're sheepboys.............not cowboys??:rofl: :nuke:

Whatever will we do?

[Chipper Chat]

6. And I always thought Camels killed John Wayne.

Stupid me!

[dutchdemocrat]

7. International Gay Rodeo Association

http://www.igra.com/

Gay Rodeo History
It is a huge surprise to many that the gay community is involved in rodeo, but this being America and the fact that all of us are intrigued with our Western heritage, it only adds to the reality "We are everywhere!"

The gay community has found many creative ways to become involved with America in efforts to overcome the walls of prejudice. The "Imperial Court" system, which is active in many cities across America, asked their "Empress and Emperor" to raise money for charity. It was felt that raising money for the "Muscular Dystrophy Association" would make a statement for both our existence and our concern for our neighbors.
Reno Gay Rodeos
Emperor I of Reno, Phil Ragsdale, came up with one of the most creative ideas to raise funds. The year was 1975 and Ragsdale wanted to help out the local Senior Citizens Annual Thanksgiving Day feed. An amateur gay rodeo would be fun, raise money, and even erase a lot of gay stereotyping. Ragsdale did not find it easy to pull off this event. He did finally land the Washoe County Fairgrounds for October 2, 1976 and then could not get any local ranchers to allow gays the use of their animals. Finally, on October 1, 1976, he was able to locate five "wild" range cows, ten "wild" range calves, one pig, and a Shetland pony. The next day, "IT WAS RODEO TIME!" Over 125 people took part in this "first" event and the winners were crowned; first, "King of the Cowboys," second, "Queen of the Cowgirls," and third, "Miss Dusty Spurs" (the drag queen). It was great fun and a minor success.

Ragsdale added several new twists to the 1977 version of this rodeo/fundraiser. He founded the Comstock Gay Rodeo Association and his rodeo project became the National Reno Gay Rodeo. Following the Imperial Court's lead, Ragsdale added the "Mr., Ms., and Miss National Reno Gay Rodeo" contest to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

The 1977 rodeo, although still small, with its new twists donated $214.00 to MDA under the name of "Reno Gay Liberation." The National Reno Gay Rodeo became a total new outlet for the gay community and created a dual party, "emerging Gay Liberation mixed into a Country/Western party" and "24-hour casinos." Dance troupes from the gay community found an arena to show off their stuff. Square dancing, clogging, formation line dancing, and the rebirth of the two-step made the nights into fabulous parties!

By 1980 a group out of California, the "Pacific Coast Gay Rodeo Association," had emerged with talented rodeo contestants. Fresno, California and Utah had presented some of the top contenders for the Mr., Ms., and Miss titles. Gay rodeo, and the parties surrounding the event, had gained a great foothold in America. Texas was the big state in 1981, bringing a host of fans in Texas T-shirts, a hot contender for All-Around Cowboy, and Mr., Ms., and Miss contestants, who by the way raised nearly $40,000 for MDA. The Miss from Texas won the competition for Miss National Reno Gay Rodeo. With San Francisco only a short drive away, the underground gay network spread the word about this "party" and the audience in the grandstands grew to 10,000. Those who only came for the nightlife swelled the head count of gays in the city to over 40,000!

1982 was dominated by Colorado and brought another change to Ragsdale's rodeo: contestants who wanted standardized rodeo rules so they would feel that they were competing on an equal basis. Many contestants from the previous five years did not return for competition. The Mr., Ms., and Miss National Reno Gay Rodeo contestants were no longer comfortable raising large numbers of dollars just for MDA. Texas in particular was disappointed in this area and decided not to return in 1983.

So 1983's version of Mr., Ms., and Miss National Reno Gay Rodeo allowed contestants to designate 50% to MDA and 50% to a gay-related charity of their choice. Most chose the AIDS Foundation. 1983 also saw the largest number of dance groups ever assembled at a gay rodeo and the grandstands filled with over 12,000 people. The lack of consistent rules continued to create problems in the arena.

By 1984, the ninth and final National Reno Gay Rodeo still brought over 10,000 people to the rodeo grounds and thousands more to Reno for the gambling and nighttime parties. The IRS credits the demise of this rodeo to a dispute with Washoe County Fairgrounds and the Sands Hotel along with the purported seizure of the rodeo books. Nonetheless, Phil Ragsdale had made a major mark on gay history and introduced the renowned Rose Maddox and Joan Rivers to the emerging gay-Western lifestyle and kindled the flame in the hearts of many men and women scattered across the nation.

[EFerrari]

9. That's it!

I'm gay now, just from reading that!

LOL!

[TheBaldyMan]

10. lonesome cowpokes can't get a ride!

could not get any local ranchers to allow gays the use of their animals

did they think their steers would turn queer?

[NMMNG]

12. "did they think their steers would turn queer?"

No, they likely thought the gays would be screwing the animals. Homophobes commonly equate homosexuality with beastiality. They are an ignorant breed. :eyes:

[TheBaldyMan]

18. probably couldn't stand the competition

with gays been better dancers,dressers and more cultured generally.

well it does get really lonesome out on the range.

[NMMNG]

22. Good point

Those right-wingers never have been good at sharing, have they? :rofl:

[FreedomAngel82]

40. Remember that republican guy

who was on some radio show talking about screwing animals? Ew ew ew.

[KingFlorez]

8. Redd Foxx poked fun at him

On an episode of "Sanford and Son" Redd Foxx implied John Wayne was gay and I don't think it was in the script because Demond Wilson looked shocked when Redd said it.

[donheld]

11. I would love for that to be proven

talk about a swift kick in the nuts of the right wing. :evilgrin:

[EST]

20. John Wayne was such a phony I have some difficulty

watching him. The dichotomy of his draft dodging (no harm there) with his ultra macho military roles were just too much. The interesting thing is that amongst freep acquaintances, nobody will believe "da Duke" was a sleaze and refuse to look at proof.
Come to think of it, this should have prepared me for real life politicians - All American Hero on the outside, slime underneath. I've lived a sheltered, happy life with Pollyanna as my guardian angel.

[alfredo]

36. His walk was manufactured. His normal gait was

not the walk of a cowboy. The swagger was all put on.

Still the movies are all about creating a reality. Rock Hudson pulled it off. If John Wayne was able to, terrific.

[FreedomAngel82]

42. Kinda like Georgie!

[alfredo]

45. Naw, more like Sen Mitch McConnell or Ken Starr.

[htuttle]

13. So...I'm wanting to quote from Repo Man right now

"He came to the door in a dress..."

[democracyindanger]

14. HA! Great minds think alike.

But I can't figure out a way to post the first line without pissing people off.

Anyway...

"I installed mirrors at his place in Brentwood..."

[RoyGBiv]

16. Speaking of Oklahoma and Cowboys ...

Anyone who actually gives a shit might want to read a few things about the Bar-S ranch, the "cowboy culture" as portrayed in movies, and the homosexual influence involved in that. John Wayne probably had no clue what he was doing (I really have no idea and don't really care) but he was perpetuating an image of cowboys that was created by and large by Okies on the Bar-S, many of whom were, if not openly gay, at least the next closest thing for early 20th century America.

[beam me up scottie]

17. Wasn't he a draft dodger too?

Isn't it funny what kind of guys freepers look up to?

[EST]

21. Correct

[deutsey]

30. No, he was in Iwo Jima

Got shot, too, if I remember correctly. Just as he was lighting up a cigarette.

:sarcasm:

[DRoseDARs]

19. Link to other thread in GLBT forum...

...just cause this is so silly. Shut the Hell up, Jim-Bob. ;)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=221&topic_id=23807

[Deja Q]

23. John Wayne has been dead for decades, I fail to grasp his point...

Hell, that twit wouldn't know a gay cowboy if he met one. Probably because, if he had, he'd kill the guy outright and claim he never met any all the same. :think:

[SammyBlue]

24. John Wayne was make believe. He was only a cowboy in movies

In real life, he loved his suits and his foofy little pomeranian.

G-d, these people are pathetic. And I love John Wayne movies.

[Raydawg1234]

57. I thought I remember hearing gay rumors about john wayne.

[SammyBlue]

59. No, he was a happily married man to a vert attractive woman

He wore is wedding band in all his movies, even if he played someone single.

[johnaries]

25. A REAL cowboy never truly loved men OR women....

The only TRUE love of a Cowboy was his horse. Everybody knows that. OK, occasionally out on the long trail there was the odd heifer that was just "asking for it", but the REAL cowboy's heart always belonged first and foremost to his horse.

Hey, just look at GWB! What do you think he was saying to that stallion that Laura caught him "milking"?

"Pickles means nothin' to me, you are the only one, the only one in the whole world who knows me, who makes me happy, who really satisfies me, who knows what I like....."

[Dirty Hippie]

27. Nobody thought Rock Hudson was gay either. n/t

[Athame]

60. or Burt Reynolds n/t

[greiner3]

28. I've heard several rumors through the years;

That John Wayne was gay. Just look at his walk and the way his hands swing. He would be gay today or would be in a lot of fights for showing his feminine side.

[onager]

29. The 3 Biggest Lies In Texas...

1. "My pickup truck is paid for."

2. "I won this belt buckle in a rodeo."

3. "I was just helping the sheep get over the fence."

[smirkymonkey]

50. That's pretty funny!

:rofl:

[LWolf]

32. This guy should be really unhappy with this song, then:

John Wayne (Was A Thespian)

I saw him in Red River, that's how he got his start
With all the other actors overseas, he got the part
The way he walks, the way he drawls
You'd swear he had grit, you'd swear he had ****

But he lied about the football, he was strictly second string
He wore a lot of make-up and his name was Marion
American manhood would never be the same
But here's a little secret Œbout the late John Wayne:

CHORUS:
John Wayne was a thespian
John Wayne was a thespian
More than Dirty Harry and Cool Hand Luke
They say John Wayne was a really butch Duke

John Wayne was a thespian
John Wayne was a thespian
He wore a bandana, had a thing for a horse
The explanation is he was a thespian of course

2. An American hero, brave and true
He defeated the Nazis and the Japanese too
Beat the rustlers at noon, the Apaches at dawn,
And with the USO he did a tour of Vietnam

But underneath it all he led a double life
He never served his country, he stayed home and beat his wife
The Freudians say he was his mother's son
The semioticians say that's why he wore a gun

CHORUS

Just like Jodi Foster....
Just like Anne Heche....
Just like Rosie O'Donnell....
And Ellen DeGeneres....

John Wayne was a thespian
John Wayne was a thespian
He wore a lot of make-up, his name was Marion
He put the Ma back in Macho he's a thespian

© 1999 Hugh Blumenfeld/Hydrogen Jukebox Music

http://home.earthlink.net/~h2jukebox/mjdh2.html

[Frank Cannon]

33. Don't REAL cowboys spend about all of their time with other guys?

Either on the trail, on the ranch, or on the rodeo circuit?

I just don't understand why cowboys are thought of to be some sort of heterosexual icon. That just doesn't fit at all.

On the other hand, male ballet dancers and a lot of "long-hair" rock stars are laughed at as being "queer", when they're in the company of hot women all the time. I'm sure Baryshnykov and Steve Tyler got more and higher-quality straight sex in one night than most of these John Wayne fans see in a year.

I just don't get it.

[FreedomAngel82]

44. Only thing I can think of

is they get the women. :shrug: When I was a little girl I loved westerns. Mostly for the horses and stuff. Hehe. I always wanted one but we always lived in a regular neighborhood. My mom had a pony though. I'm listening to Stephanie Miller now on December 19th (hey I'm bored) and she, in the second hour, said she saw the movie and it was really good and reminded her of all the men she made gay (have to listen to the show I guess).

[CTyankee]

58. Stephanie Miller is a hoot!

I love her spiel about turning men gay.

I swear some day I will have an accident driving while listening to her. She's the best.

[FreedomAngel82]

38. Oh yes

Just because it isn't true for one person means it's true for all. :eyes: I'm sure there's a gay cowboy out there somewhere. I remember there for a while there was rumors of Bush and some mayor or something like that of a guy from Knoxville.

[foo_bar]

43. reminds me of that scene from Repo Man

Plettschner: Greatest American that ever lived.
Miller: John Wayne was a fag.
Bud: What did you say man?
Plettschner: Whaa?
Oly: What?
Miller: John Wayne was a fag.
Everyone: The hell he was!
Miller: He was too you boys. I installed two way mirrors in his pad in Brentwood. And he'd come to the door in a dress.
Plettschner: Ah, you're fucking nuts.
Oly: That doesn't mean he was a homo, Miller. Lotta straight guys like to watch their buddies fuck. I know I do.

(http://users.erols.com/bobcan/repo/script.html)

[lectrobyte]

47. Thanks for the URL -- Repo Man is one of my all time fav's. nt

[DefenseLawyer]

46. Red River

The Duke living out on the range with his "adopted son" Montgomery Cliff. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

[EFerrari]

48. That's a great movie. The Prelapsarian West --

i.e., before women ruined it.

"There's quitters to be buried." :)

[DefenseLawyer]

52. Montgomery Cliff

also has that odd scene with "Cherry Valance" where they check out each other's "guns". But hey, they were out on that cattle drive for a long time.

[EFerrari]

55. Yep, they sure were.

:)

[MindPilot]

49. Mexican cowboys vs white cowboys

Something I've noticed living here in Mexico's Fronteras Norte is that Mexican guys look good in western gear. They are macho, like real men ready to go out and do real work. But put a ten gallon hat on a white guy and he just looks goofy.

I've always hated cowboys; grew up with them in Colorado and for the most part they were all a bunch of bullies--tobacco-chewing ignorant assholes who lived to get drunk and beat up people who didn't look as stupid as they did in their silly-assed costumes.

[RandomKoolzip]

51. One thing I've noticed about the right....

Is that they seem to get angriest about abstractions being damaged and killed, not tangible things. When "John Wayne's lagacy" is attacked, they get red in the face with anger. When "the sanctity of marriage" is "threatened," they get irrational. When Clinton "desecrates the office of the presidency," they ball their fists and get frothy-mouthed.

But when 2000 American soldiers die for no reason in some stinking desert, it ain't no big thing. When people's civil rights are taken away, you'll get a yawn in resonse.

What's up widdat, rightists? Why are abstractions more important to you than living things?

[chat_noir]

54. Randolph Scott made over 100 movies - most of them Westerns

Scott, one of the most popular Western heroes in the 1950s and 1960s, lived openly with Cary Grant



We'll never know the pressures they endured while keeping their secret in intolerant times. And we'll never know the joy they shared through the years. But this much we do know: Grant and Scott shared a house or apartment together for a decade--including before and after Grant's 1934 marriage to Virginia Cherrill; they posed for publicity shots, happily playing with the dog at the breakfast table and bare-chested on a diving board, only inches apart; their comfy companionship had '30s gossip columnists all atwitter, with one suggesting they were "carrying the buddy business a bit too far."

Rumors that Grant was bisexual circulated his entire life (despite five wives).

Grant told gossip queen Hedda Hopper, "My personal affairs are none of your goddamned business."

http://www.eonline.com/Features/Specials/Century/Apr/09.b.html

[XOKCowboy]

61. THAT DOES IT!!

You pinko's can trash The Duke but when ya go after RANDOLPH SCOTT!! I have to put my foot down!

Next thing you're going to tell me is that Rock Hudson was gay. Sheesh!

:sarcasm:

[porphyrian]

56. "John Wayne was a fag."

"The hell he was."

"He was, too, you boys. I installed two-way mirrors in his pad in Brentwood, and he come to the door in a dress."