Can you go home again when your identity doesn't align with the values of your hometown? Tim Kirkman returns to North Carolina to explore the parallels and differences between himself and Jesse Helms, a homophobe elected to the US Senate. He captures the perspectives of his family, friends, and community members, including a gay mayor and author Lee Smith, to examine the complex issues of identity, judgment, and love.
Dear Jesse
Returning to one's hometown can be a complex experience, especially for a gay individual who may not feel welcome in a place where anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments are prevalent. For Tim Kirkman, a native son of North Carolina, this was a reality he faced in 1996 when he returned to his home state.
