- Miles Heizer stars in the new Netflix gay military dramedy “Boots,” based on Greg Cope White’s memoir, “The Pink Marine.”
- Heizer opens up about his “nightmare” experience coming out as gay to his “super conservative, religious family.”
- The show, set in 1990, explores LGBTQ+ life in the military just before the implementation of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
- Heizer discusses the show’s unexpected and upsetting relevance to current political debates about military service.
Miles Heizer on His Groundbreaking Role and Personal Pain
Miles Heizer, known for his role in “13 Reasons Why,” is now headlining Netflix’s powerful new coming-of-age dramedy, “Boots.” The 31-year-old out gay actor plays Cameron Cope, a high school senior who impulsively enlists in the U.S. Marines to escape a difficult family life while grappling with his sexuality. The series is already sparking conversations, not just for its subject matter, but for the deeply personal stories shared by its lead actor.
A Story of Identity and Service in a Bygone Era
“Boots” is based on Greg Cope White’s 2015 memoir, “The Pink Marine,” which recounts his experiences joining the Marines in 1979 when LGBTQ+ individuals were explicitly banned from serving. The series updates this timeline to 1990, a critical period just four years before the controversial “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) policy was enacted.
The show captures the tension and fear of that era, a reality that Heizer feels is crucial to explore. The series is resonating with viewers, including a fellow gay Coast Guard veteran who approached Heizer at the gym to share his own story.
Heizer’s Personal ‘Nightmare’ Parallels the Screen
In a candid interview, Heizer revealed that the themes of struggle and acceptance in “Boots” hit close to home. He described his own coming-out experience as an “unfortunate classic gay coming-out story.”
“It was a nightmare and everyone was upset,” Heizer shared, explaining he was raised in “a super conservative, religious family.” While his relationship with his family has improved significantly over the years, he vividly remembers the difficulty of that time. “I’m lucky my sister, who’s my best friend, could not have cared less and was very there for me,” he added.
A ‘Rare’ Queer Production
Heizer emphasized the importance of the show’s authenticity, which is bolstered by a predominantly queer cast and creative team. “To have so many queer people and women coming together to make this show, I think is very rare,” he said, noting that co-stars Angus O’Brien and Max Parker are also out gay actors.
The Show’s Unsettling Modern Relevance
While set over three decades ago, “Boots” has become unexpectedly timely. Heizer pointed out the chilling parallels between the show’s historical context and today’s political climate, particularly former President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender people serving in the military.
“When the show started filming, I don’t think we intended to have this message that’s so relevant to serving today,” Heizer stated. “It’s very interesting that ‘Boots’ shines a light on what’s actually happening now… It’s upsetting.”
Despite the heavy themes, Heizer is hopeful for the future of the series, expressing his desire to continue telling these vital stories for a second season and beyond. “Boots” is now available for streaming on Netflix.
Image Referance: https://variety.com/2025/tv/columns/boots-miles-heizer-netflix-gay-military-season-2-1236547408/