The Pentagon has expressed strong disapproval of Netflix's new series, Boots, labeling it as “woke garbage.” This military drama, inspired by Greg Cope White’s 2015 memoir, The Pink Marine, narrates the journey of a closeted teenager who joins the United States Marine Corps during the 1990s. The show's release has sparked significant debate regarding its portrayal of military life and LGBTQ+ issues.
In a statement shared with Entertainment Weekly, Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson emphasized the military's commitment to maintaining elite standards. He stated, “Under President Trump and Secretary Pete Hegseth, the US military is getting back to restoring the warrior ethos. Our standards across the board are elite, uniform, and sex neutral because the weight of a rucksack or a human being doesn’t care if you’re a man, a woman, gay, or straight.”
Wilson further criticized Netflix, asserting that the platform's leadership produces content that promotes an ideological agenda, contrasting it with the military's focus on maintaining rigorous standards. His remarks reflect a broader trend among some conservative figures who have been increasingly vocal against what they consider the excessive promotion of diversity and inclusion in entertainment.
Despite the Pentagon's criticism, the show has gained traction among viewers, currently ranking as the sixth-most-watched show globally on Netflix. The Guardian’s Stuart Heritage described Boots as “incredibly powerful,” while The Hollywood Reporter noted that the series critiques the military's anti-gay policies from the 1990s while also respecting the essence of military brotherhood.
Miles Heizer, the gay actor portraying the lead character, highlighted the show's unexpected relevance. “When the show started filming in 2023, I don’t think we intended to have this message that’s so relevant to serving today,” Heizer stated. “But then of course as we’re making it, all these things started happening. It’s very interesting that Boots shines a light on what’s actually happening now, even though the show is set in 1990. It’s upsetting.”
The backlash against Netflix's diverse programming has intensified recently, particularly from conservative circles. Earlier this month, tech mogul Elon Musk urged his followers on X (formerly Twitter) to cancel their Netflix subscriptions. This call to action was sparked by a resurfaced clip featuring a transgender character in the animated series Dead End: Paranormal Park. Musk suggested that such content could be detrimental to the “health of your kids,” despite having a transgender daughter himself.
Zach Barack, the voice actor for the transgender character, responded to Musk's remarks, affirming the positive impact of representation in media: “You can fear monger all you want, but kids & parents have told me it saved their lives!!” This exchange underscores the growing divide over representation in mainstream media.
As discussions surrounding LGBTQ+ representation in the military continue, the Pentagon's recent actions have drawn scrutiny. In June, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth ordered the removal of the name of gay activist Harvey Milk from a US Navy ship, a decision aimed at “re-establishing the warrior culture” within the military. This move has faced criticism from notable figures, including Sean Penn, who directed the Oscar-winning biopic about Milk, and screenwriter Dustin Lance Black.
Black expressed his dismay at Hegseth's comments, stating, “These guys are idiots. Pete Hegseth does not seem like a smart man, a wise man, a knowledgeable man. He seems small and petty. I would love to introduce him to some LGBTQ folks who are warriors who have had to be warriors our entire life just to live our lives openly as who we are.”
The ongoing debate around Boots and the Pentagon's response highlights the complex relationship between military culture, LGBTQ+ representation, and the entertainment industry, raising important questions about inclusivity and standards in both spheres.
