Recognized by institutions such as the Country Music Hall of Fame and CMT as the first country music album with an openly gay theme, Lavender Country's self-titled 1973 record is among the most unexpected LPs ever released. In the early '70s, rock music largely centered on glam rock's androgynous, sexually adventurous types. Yet country remained primarily a conservative genre, socially and politically. Singer/songwriter and guitarist Patrick Haggerty—a first-generation gay liberation activist and artist—here uses familiar country music tropes to support his gay-friendly message with songs such as “Come Out Singing,” “Cryin’ These C******king Tears," and “Back in the Closet Again.” Haggerty considered his music part of what he called “The Information” for the LGBT community (which had yet to be identified as such). The music has its highlights. Pianist Michael Carr and fiddler Eve Morris add memorable touches, and songs such as “I Can’t Shake the Stranger Out," “To a Woman," and “Straight White Patterns” are satisfying musically. The message remains largely an unpopular one in country music circles, indicating its continuing importance.