In 'Boots,' a gay Marine comes of age before the era of 'Don't ask, don't tell'

Main Idea: Andy Parker’s Netflix series “Boots” tells the story of a gay Marine recruit coming of age before “don’t ask, don’t tell,” and uses that story to show the personal cost of hiding who you are in the military.

Key Points:

• Parker said the show was inspired by Greg Cope White’s memoir and by his own memories of growing up as a closeted gay teen who once considered joining the Marines.
• “Boots” follows Cameron Cope, played by Miles Heizer, as he goes through Marine boot camp while hiding his sexuality.
• The series mixes humor, friendship, and boot camp pressure, while also showing the strain of being gay in a military system that once criminalized it.
• Parker said the show aims to build empathy and raise questions about who gets included in the story of being American, especially in today’s debate over military service and LGBTQ rights.