York City Football Club

Netflix drama military drama Boots is based on the true story of gay Marine Greg Cope White

Boots, a military drama on Netflix, follows the journey of gay teenager Cameron Cope (portrayed by Miles Heizer) as he enlists in the Marines corps alongside his best mate, despite the inherent dangers.

The series is set in the harsh environment of the 1990s US Marine Corps, a time when homosexuality was still outlawed in the military. It traces the lives of Cameron and Ray McAffey (played by Liam Oh), the offspring of a decorated Marine, as they become part of a diverse group of recruits.

Together, they form unexpected friendships and discover their true identities while being pushed to their limits.

Netflix commented: “With sharp wit and plenty of heart, Boots is about friendship, resilience, and finding your place in the world – even when that world seems determined to keep you in line or leave you behind.”

Greg Cope White, a former sergeant in the US Marine Corps, served as a writer and executive producer for the series.

READ MORE: Netflix fans urged to watch chart-topping film hailed ‘a modern Cinderella’READ MORE: Who is in the cast of Boots on Netflix?

He is an ardent advocate for LGBTQ+ and veteran rights, and has appeared in the PBS docuseries American Veteran and published work in the military journal Zero Dark Thirty.

Reflecting on his journey from his days in the Marine Corps, he posted on Instagram: “At 18, I illegally enlisted in the Marine Corps to find my place as a gay man in the masculine world.

“The book honours my lifelong best friend Dale, who got me through a chaotic childhood, and the Marines who took a chance on me and changed my life.

“And to send a message to others who are bullied: Bullies don’t matter. You do. Hold on.”

Greg completed six years of service with the Marines, achieving the rank of Sergeant, before relocating to New York City to pursue studies in acting and writing.

He eventually settled in Los Angeles, where he secured his breakthrough in writing through employment with Norman Lear.

The Pink Marine website details how joining the Marines represented Greg’s initial struggle, as he “has to cheat to pass the physical and then lie on the enlistment papers about his sexuality”.

The protagonists Cameron and Ray draw inspiration from Greg and his closest mate Dale, with the website outlining the dangers they both faced.

It states: “It’s insanely dangerous for both of them. But as fate would have it, the Few and the Proud turn out to be a bunch of oddballs and eccentrics – and a brotherhood is born.”

Boots is available on Netflix.

This Lower East Side hotel is not only in the centre of one of the city’s most eclectic boroughs, but is home to a live music venue, a rooftop bar, and an underground nightclub.

They say New York is the city that never sleeps, and this downtown hotel proves that. I stayed at the Moxy Lower East Side hotel, a haven for eclectic travellers looking to ditch high-brow Manhattan for a taste of the urban boroughs.

Located on Bowery, the Moxy is in the centre of the Lower East Side, with SoHo and Chinatown within walking distance. However, the true draw of the area is its lively atmosphere, with crowds filling the streets in the evenings as they sit outside bars, restaurants, and music venues.

Graffiti-filled corners and event spaces pack the area, which is the birthplace of American punk rock and new wave music. Paying homage to this, the Moxy Lower East Side has so many venues that you don’t need to leave to experience some of the borough’s rich culture.

READ MORE: ‘I’ve visited every country – one place felt like a real-life horror movie’READ MORE: Huge new theme park planned for UK after massive success in Europe

“That’s where I go if I want a real night out with my wife,” a local tells me. “First, hitting the rooftop for a pre-drink, then dinner, before catching some live music, and then, if I’m up for it, I’ll go down to the club for a dance.”

It’s almost hard to believe all of that can be done in what’s known as Marriott’s budget-brand Moxy. But lo and behold, as you walk into the modern hotel, there is a piano lounge to the left. Silver Lining Lounge offers nightly acts, including bands, resident performers, and jazz acts in its soundproof location – where hotel guests have first dibs at reservations. BRIT Award winner Lola Young also performed at the venue earlier this year in what was her first NYC showcase, while chart topper Benson Boone has also graced the boards.

With a large stage at the front of the room, the venue – owned by Tao Group hospitality – has table service and offers specialty cocktails alongside light bites such as tacos, fries and oysters.

Across the lobby is The Fix, which is your typical hotel bar filled with families, professionals catching up on work, and friends grabbing drinks. When it hits 9pm, a DJ arrives to lift the mood of the lobby, meaning you get a lively entrance if you’ve got a late check-in time.

Because of its location and modern design, the hotel is a hotspot for Instagram events – something which is in full swing on the Friday night I’m staying. “We’ve got a pop-up jewellery making class for influencers going on,” the hotel manager tells me as we slide past glamorous social media stars on the way to the lifts.

On the top floor of the 303-room hotel is the Highlight Room rooftop bar, which is bustling as I head up for a drink around sunset. With a DJ booth in the corner, indoor and outdoor seating, and an atmosphere that screams glamorous New York City, this is clearly a popular gem for locals looking to let loose after a busy week.

While the hotel doesn’t have a typical restaurant to grab some buffet food, it does have a high-brow modern Japanese eatery, which is well-known in the area and popular amongst celebrities. From sushi platters to wagyu beef and crown melon, Sake No Hana is truly a dining experience and rivals famous friend Nobu, which is just a 30-minute walk away.

Just when I thought there couldn’t possibly be any more nightlife under one roof, I was taken down to the Moxy’s subterranean nightclub, Loosie’s. The small venue is decked out with VIP booths and a sizable dancefloor, meaning visitors can party until 4 am and not have too far to go back to their rooms.

The Highlight Room, Loosie’s, and Silver Lining lounge all have separate entrances from the main hotel, meaning they’re not just for guests to enjoy. In fact, most of the guests inside the Moxy venues were locals taking in the music, food, and cocktails.

Book it

Moxy Lower East Side has rates from $179 (£133) per night. Book at moxylowereastside.com

The Map That Leads to You will hit Prime Video UK this summer and has already sent fans of the novel into a frenzy over the tearjerker trailer

KJ Apa, famed for his role as Archie Andrews in Riverdale, is unrecognisable in the newly released trailer for a captivating romance film set to premiere on Prime Video next month.

Adapted from JP Monninger’s novel, the film introduces us to Heather Mulgrew, portrayed by Outer Banks star Madelyn Cline, a young traveller whose life takes an unexpected turn when she meets Apa’s enigmatic character, Jack, during her European holiday.

Heather, who’s on a quest for self-discovery before embarking on her career in New York City, finds herself swept up in a whirlwind romance with Jack, a man tracing his grandfather’s footsteps through a journal.

Their journey ignites a passionate affair as they traverse the picturesque landscapes of Spain, Portugal, and Italy, hinting that their connection might be more than a fleeting summer romance.

Yet, as they delve deeper into their relationship, complexities arise, forcing Heather to choose between her ambitions and what could be the love of her life, reports the Express.

The official synopsis teases: “This chance encounter sparks an unexpected journey of self-discovery.

“As their connection deepens, secrets, life choices, and hidden truths will test their bond-and change Heather’s life in ways she never imagined.”

Riverdale enthusiasts who’ve lost touch with Apa’s breakthrough series may do a double-take upon seeing the Kiwi actor in this new persona.

Ditching Archie’s iconic red locks for a tousled darker mane and sporting some stubble, Apa also sheds the American accent, fully immersing himself in this fresh character.

The forthcoming drama flick, helmed by the director of What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, Lasse Hallström, will feature Sofia Wylie from The School for Good and Evil and Ozark’s Madison Thompson as Heather’s closest friends.

Get 30 days of Prime Video totally free

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

£8.99

£0

Amazon

Get Prime Video here

TV lovers can get 30 days’ free access to binge tantalising TV like The Handmaid’s Tale and The Rings of Power by signing up to Amazon Prime. Just remember to cancel at the end and you won’t be charged.

Orlando Norman and Josh Lucas are also set to appear, with the latter known to Yellowstone enthusiasts for his portrayal of a young John Dutton, originally played by Kevin Costner.

With the trailer dropping this Tuesday (15th July), The Map That Leads to You is already stirring excitement among fans, who are bracing themselves for an emotional journey when it hits screens in just over a month.

One eager YouTube user responded: “I’m so beyond excited to finally be able to watch this movie.”

Another fan gushed: “The movie looks so beautiful, I can’t wait to see this!!!!!”

A third person shared their enthusiasm: “I’ve missed movies with this vibe, literally so excited.”

Meanwhile, a devotee of the source material confessed on X (formerly Twitter): “Guys who haven’t read the map that leads to you don’t get why we’re already sobbing.”

An additional comment came with a caution: “Iv read the book and so I tried to prepare myself but as soon as I saw the trailer and that single tear falling down heathers face I fear I will NEVERR be fully prepared.”

They continued: “I’ll prob be sobbing in a fetal position for days on end after watching it.”

Prime Video might just have one of the biggest tear-jerkers of the year lined up for viewers this summer, promising a poignant European adventure with Heather and Jack.

The Map That Leads to You premieres Wednesday, 20th August on Prime Video.