Layton Williams reflected on the first time he “saw queer representation fully” and why it was so “helpful” to him as a young LGBTQ+ person.
During an appearance on the new season of Queerpiphany, which is hosted by Tayce and Munroe Bergdorf, the West End star discussed seeing t.A.T.u’s controversial music video for All the Things She Said back in 2002.
“I think it was the first time truly I actually saw two people of the same sex getting intimate,” he explained.
“I was like, okay well if that’s happening with them and they’re two girlies then…yeah that’s me! It was the first moment I saw queer representation fully in, kind of, an obvious way.
“It was really helpful for me to know that I wasn’t alone in the world (…) Obviously I’m not a girlie and I’m not a lesbian but I knew it was doing something to me. I did not go to school the next day and start snogging up all the boys…or did I?”
Layton added that it was “like a little seed and from there it kind of grew.”
Since 2019, the 28-year-old has played the title character of Jamie New in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie – an experience that still makes him “emotional sometimes”.
“I feel like the show speaks directly to LGBTQIA+ youth, because you see it, some of them come dressed up, some of them come in costume, some of them come just glammed like you’ll just see them with like heels on, these young boys with their mothers and just so many beautiful people kind of inspired by what the story actually is,” Layton continued.
“I think it’s because they feel like it’s truly represented. And feel safe, they know if they go to this show dressed as one of the characters, Mimi Me or they’re doing their full glam, they know that actually this is a safe space and it’s all beautiful.”
From 2012 until 2014, Layton played Stephen Carmichael in Bad Education.
With the series slated to make its return in the coming months, he told Tayce and Munroe what they can expect from his role in the show.
“This is what’s wild, so Bad Education is coming back and now I’m fronting the show, literally I’m gonna go back and revamp the show,” he revealed. “I’m writing on the show as well, also associate producer on the episodes.”
You can watch Layton’s appearance on Queerpiphany in full below or by clicking here.
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