Jeff Hiller, an actor and author best known for his role in HBO's Somebody Somewhere, shares his journey from a church kid in Texas to a queer icon in Hollywood. He and Sam discuss the struggles of growing up gay in conservative environments and how faith can clash with queerness. They highlight the need for authentic representation of queer individuals in media, particularly those with complex identities. Through humor and personal anecdotes, the conversation explores nostalgia, acceptance, and the journey toward embracing one's true self.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Church as Sanctuary and Community
Jeff Hiller loved church growing up because it was a community and sanctuary despite the complexity of being gay in that space.
It was where he felt safe and accepted in a hostile environment, making it uniquely important to his youth.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Queerness Hidden in Church
Sam Sanders shared his experience growing up in a Pentecostal church, where the church was the only place he wasn’t bullied for sounding too gay.
Despite sermons against homosexuality, queer people were present and often the backbone of the church community.
insights INSIGHT
Realizing Church’s Limits on Queerness
Jeff realized that his church didn’t allow gay ministers, marking a turning point in his relationship with the church.
This prompted him to question his aspirations and see imperfections in the institution he loved.
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Actor Jeff Hiller opens up about his journey from church kid in Texas to queer fame in Hollywood. Jeff and Sam swap stories of growing up gay in conservative Christian spaces, where church was both a sanctuary and a source of shame. They unpack the complicated ways faith and queerness collide. They also break down how Hollywood struggles to tell stories about people who are queer, religious, working class — and simply human.
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