Snowpiercer’s Garfield Wilson Is A Fierce LGBTQ Ally & Has The Receipts To Prove It

Being a parent isn’t easy, and the sad truth is that parents don’t always know how to love unconditionally.  During COVID, there has been an increase in LGBTQ youth homelessness and suicide, this past political era has raised conflict and hatred towards our community.  So, what happens when your daughter comes out as trans at the age of 9?  If you’re actor Garfield Wilson – you become a fierce LGBTQ ally. 

Photo: J Benson Photography

With a tall stature, dark features, and rippling muscles, Garfield is hard to miss whether at a Pride rally or on the set of his latest Hollywood project.  His acting career reads like binge watcher’s fantasy with guest spots in Arrow, Once Upon A Time, Bates Motel, The 100, Continuum, iZombie, Zoo, Netflix’s Travelers, Van Helsing, The Good Doctor, The Man in the High Castle, Batwoman, and J.J. Abrams’ Almost Human, and this last season, his two major projects not only make for good quarantine watching but also echo what is happening to us socially and politically in the world.  He co-starred in Nickelodeon’s big-budget series The Astronauts, playing a father whose kid is accidentally shot off into space with no immediate way to get

Photo: J Benson Photography

home, isolated from each other except through video chat.  Sound familiar?  Last week, Garfield returned to TNT’s hit show Snowpiercer for its second season, as a resident on a train battling a civil war between classes with no escape.  Again, sound familiar?   

Though he can appear serious and menacing on camera, he is a gentle giant who can croon you with a show tune (he started out in musical theatre) or bench your bodyweight…but his message is that of love -unconditional love – and his place in Hollywood has become his platform of activism.   

Garfield’s daughter, with her family’s full support, and with a strong environment in which to grow, has become a fierce activist in her own right.  This is how we build bridges and share our community’s message of love – with LGBTQ members and allies hand in hand.  We need our allies to speak to those who will not listen to us.  Our allies lead by their example.   

We chatted with Garfield in between his COVID workout sets to chat activism, filming, and family: 

How has the filming experience for this Snowpiercer been unlike any other?  

First and foremost, the sets are unlike anything I have ever experienced… Amazing!! It consistently blows me away every single time I go to set! It takes no effort to drop yourself into that world as an actor.  

Snowpiercer deals with many themes we are currently facing…what aspect of the Snowpiercer storyline affects you the most?  

To me, the stark contrast between first-class and middle class, and the tale is an emotional and direct commentary of the world we live in today. 

I binged watched The Astronauts, love it!  Playing a father isolated from their child must have been an emotional experience for you.  What did you learn most about yourself in this role? 

First, thanks! Second, playing Niles Taylor is the one character I have played in my career that is the closest to who I am in real life in terms of being a father. The most important lesson I draw from is my experience in this life as a Dad. What is conveyed in The Astronauts is that life can be upended in a blink of an eye. So be present with your kids, see them, cherish them, and take every opportunity to enjoy the simple things because your life can be upended in the blink of an eye. 

What advice do you have for family members feeling isolated due to COVID?  

How we have survived during this pandemic is by keeping things very simple and getting back fellowship and nature. When things were shut down last spring, we did a lot more nature walks, board games, and eating together as a family. Now that things have opened in our region, I am extremely happy to see that my kids have developed a closeness and friendship I’m not sure would have happened without those months of isolation. 

What was your experience with the LGBTQ community prior to your daughter’s coming out? 

I have had friends for many years that are a part of the LGBTQ community, beautiful human beings who were and continue to be very dear to my heart. 

How have you changed the most from your daughter’s coming out?  

My daughter’s journey taught me so much about myself and what it truly means to love someone unconditionally. An absolute gift! 

With your support and focus on your daughter’s LGBTQ activism, how have her siblings responded?  

Our family is extremely close. We have always had, and continue to have, open and honest conversations with our kids. Tru’s siblings were and are amazing throughout her journey. 

What do you think the future of the LGBTQ community in Hollywood will look like in the coming years?  

I’m hoping that Hollywood will continue to show support for the LGBTQ community and POC in the stories they tell and in the opportunities they give for these groups – in front of the camera and positions behind the scenes (i.e. Producers, Directors, writers, etc.) 

What advice do you have for a parent whose child has just come out trans?  

First, LISTEN… Then do everything you possibly can to educate yourself, build alliances within the LGBTQ community, find appropriate emotional support via therapist(s), and most importantly provide a safe emotional space for your child to be fully expressed. 

What advice do you have for a trans person afraid of coming out?  

Find support groups within the LGBTQ community nearest you. No one does this alone. 

You have attended many Pride celebrations…what does Pride mean to you?  

Oh my God, I have attended so many! PRIDE represents LOVE to me, love for human expression, acceptance of your truth and that of someone else’s truth. BUT above and beyond it all, PRIDE means Love Wins! 

Your daughter is an activist in the LGBTQ community…what challenges has she had within our own community?  

I would say that my daughter is incredibly giving and has the biggest heart. So, seeing those friends of hers in the LGBTQ community going through extremely tough times because their home life is not as supportive as her home is emotionally difficult.  

What about your daughter inspires you the most? 

Her bravery, and her inner strength… She is my Hero! 

How can the LGBTQ and straight community build bridges?  

For a percentage of the straight community, the willingness to listen with an open heart and mind, and to ultimately understand that we are all the same and that LGBTQ and POC rights and opportunities are a Human Right. 

What have been your biggest challenges in becoming a father?  

Work/Life balance at the beginning of fatherhood was very challenging. 

How do you keep a balance of family and career?  

My kids come first… Always! It is a deal-breaker at this point in my career. 

What is your biggest hope for 2021?  

That the world will begin to become a much better place coming out of the most tragic year of our lifetime. 

You can follow Garfield on Instagram:@GarfieldaWilson