Hillbilly Queer: A Memoir

Jamison, host of the podcast The Facing Project, grew up in Indiana, the heart of the Midwest, in a community favoring conservative values and what he calls “hillbilly wisdom.” Having always preferred dolls over G.I. Joes, Jamison knew he was different and realized he was queer at a young age. Then, in the middle of the 2016 presidential election, his right-wing, Baptist, Trump-supporting father invites him on a road trip to his high school reunion in Missouri. Father and son fall on opposite ends of the political spectrum, but during this trip, they discover they have more that unites than divides. Jamison’s memoir is a beautiful story of accepting not only oneself but also those who hold different beliefs. Jamison narrates his own memoir, allowing his love, care, and tolerance for all people to shine through. Some listeners may struggle with how Jamison can be so understanding of potentially painful differences. Rather than touting his approach as the only viable solution, he carefully and respectfully acknowledges the emotional effort that these difficult conversations require.