Patrick Haggerty (1944 – 2022)

We are heartbroken to confirm that Patrick Haggerty, the visionary songwriter, dauntless activist, and irrepressible raconteur of Lavender Country, passed away at home early yesterday morning, October 31, 2022, surrounded by family and friends.

After we collaborated with him to reissue and tell the story of his 1973 album, widely regarded as the first openly gay country record ever released, Patrick finally saw the deserved recognition and accolades that had eluded him for decades. But for us, he was more than a hero; he was also a friend, mentor, comrade, and fatherly figure for us and our families. He was hilarious too; it was always an adventure spending time with him.

Patrick changed my life, and I am just one of a legion of people who can say that. When I cold-called him back in 2013, almost exactly nine years ago to the day, neither one of us could have imagined where it would lead us. At that time, music was largely a private practice for Patrick; he was playing occasionally at nursing homes and felt that Lavender Country was in his past. I’d just welcomed a son into the world, and Patrick and JB watched him grow up, showering him with gifts and love from afar and when they passed through on tour. His songs and his example—as an artist, activist, and father, as a human being moving through the world, fighting hatred and cruelty, trying to raise a righteous voice for love—continue to inspire me, and I hope you too.

Patrick was never at a loss for stories or words, but for me, two words—his extraordinary father’s moral imperative—sum up much of what he stood for: “Don’t sneak.”

Sending love to all who loved him, as we did.

Patrick will be remembered with utmost love and admiration for his forthright and candid songwriting, lifelong activism, and everlasting commitment to justice and love. 

In 1973, Patrick recruited several of his Seattle-based queer friends to play for Lavender Country and put out the band’s pioneering self-titled album. Featuring songs like “Cryin’ These Cocksucking Tears,” “Back in the Closet Again,” and “Come Out Singing,” Lavender Country defied the staunchly conservative culture surrounding country music and is widely acknowledged to be the first openly gay country album.

Patrick credited his father with consistently encouraging him to embrace his gayness and to express that part of his identity openly and entirely. “I like to say the reason that I made Lavender Country when I made it was because my dad said I could,” he said in an interview for Pitchfork earlier this year. 

Inspired by the Stonewall riots, Patrick devoted his life to activism as an anti-capitalist and anti-fascist, advocating for gay rights, anti-racism, tenants’ rights, and more. Listen to his songs, celebrate his life, and let his care and commitment to the liberation of humankind serve as an example.

“There’s nothing left but holes
In your weary sexist roles
Time to trade them old P.J.’s
For a Goodwill negligee
You all come out, come out, my dears
To Lavender Country
You all come out and make yourselves to home
It don’t matter here
Who you love or what you wear
‘Cause we don’t care who’s got what chromosomes“

Lavender Country is available for streaming on all platforms and can be purchased from the PoB store and Bandcamp.