American Cowboy, whose profile of Houstonian Gene Mikulenka will include a look at the gay country and western cultrue, is believed to be the first production of its kind. The camera will follow Mikulenka around his home in Houston in the fall and include interviews with friends and assocaites, then travel with him to the International Gay Rodeo Association finals in Albuquerque, New Mexico and the Gulf Coast Awards in October.

Kyle R. Henry, a graduate of Rice University and a graduate student with the film program at the University of Texas whose short works have been screened in Houston and elsewhere, said he has received a positive response both in and outside of the gay community to the idea for American Cowboy. Henry, who appeared with Mikulenka at a reception last Sunday in Houston for potential investors in the film, expects to have it ready for a final cut screening next summer. He said he would like to take American Cowboy to film festivals after it is completed and hopes it will find a spot on public television.

Mikulenka, 38, grew up in south Texas and has been involved (along with the rest of his family)in rodeo since he was five. He boasts a long list of honors in both mainstream and gay rodeo events, having won pole-bending awards at all the major stock shows in Texas and bronc-riding contests all over the U.S. He won the International Gay Rodeo Association Championship finals in bareback riding two years in a row, took two state championships in barrel racing and won open pole-bending at the Houston Livestock Show this year (out of 69 contestants). Mikulenka is ranked number one for poles and bronc-riding going into this year's IGRA finals, set for October 16-22, and has qualified for the World Quarterhorse Show in November.

Mikulenka and his quarter hourse, Wild Lover's Lassie, were the subjects of an article in the Houston Chronicle earlier this year after the horse overcame serious injuries to win a pole-bending competition at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.