The influence of soft-hearted heterosexual male allies for the LGBTQ+ community is gaining momentum in the Tim Walz era. We can now count everyone's favorite comedian Will Ferrell among the straight men who, confident in their own identity, are using their platforms to support and empower marginalized groups.

Ferrell leads by example in “Will & Harper,” a documentary made after his 30-year-old friend Harper Steele came out as transgender in 2021 after decades of closet. Ferrell and Steele met while working on “Saturday Night Live” – Steele was the head writer for four years and Ferrell was the main cast member from 1995 to 2002. The two eventually worked together at Funny or Die, where Steele was creative director. and Ferrell starred in two films she co-wrote: the Spanish-language western comedy “Casa de mi Padre” and 2020’s “Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga.”

Now, in “Will & Harper,” directed by Josh Greenbaum (“Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar”) and now available on Netflix, the two embark on a cross-country road trip as Steele attempts to find her Exploring identity in a country that doesn't always embrace it.

“I love it so much,” she says of the USA at the beginning of the film. “I just don’t know if it loves me back now.”

Meanwhile, Ferrell, who told Variety earlier this year at the film's premiere at Sundance that he had “no idea” about the trans community, wants to deepen his understanding of his friend's journey. The widespread appeal of Ferrell's films such as “Old School,” “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” and “Step Brothers” alone suggests that “Will & Harper” could attract a variety of potential allies who may be unsure where should I start? If there's a lesson here, it might be that allies can start with something as simple as a station wagon.

In a video interview with Ferrell and Steele during the film's premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, Ferrell was genuinely moved because he knew he could make a difference. “Oh, that's so beautiful,” he said after I mentioned the importance of him being a queer-advocating straight guy who embodies sensitivity and unconditional love, admitting that as a child I did I felt like I missed men like him.

But it was Steele who really understood: “We all need a will,” she added, leaning into her pal during our interview, expressing their decades-long friendship in a brief, warm hug.

How aware are you at the moment, Will, that this film could influence your fans?' Promote perspective and compassion towards transsexuals?
Will Ferrell: I think we're getting a feel for it. I mean, it's something like when Harper once said, “Okay, you know what? Let's do it,” that was probably the second part of the conversation – she expressed the fact that this is something that will help her, but she brought up the great point of exposing the part of my audience that perhaps wouldn't be inclined to investigate such a thing at all. I find that really exciting. I think it's really exciting that the potential exists. And yes, I've already received feedback that a surprising portion of my audience, who you wouldn't have thought would be interested, are actually interested in checking it out.

Considering what some of your fans think about the trans community, did making this film feel like a risk?
Harper Steele: I don't think Will cares about such a risk. I think so. I addressed this early on. Again, I've often pointed out that Will is both a brand and a person. Bud Light didn't fare well when they associated themselves with a trans person. But I don't think that plays a role at all in Will's mindset.

Ferrell: That's the advantage when you're at the end of your career and just idle. (Laughs.)

Steele: (with a deadpan expression) He probably wouldn't have done it.

Ferrell: (sarcastically joking) Oh no. A year ago, two years ago I wouldn't have done it. I was hot! I think the healthiest thing to do is once I make a decision, I don't look back. Whether that's a bizarre comedic premise or whatever it is, even in my everyday life. This was another case of, “Okay, there's going to be a positive reaction and a negative reaction.” Whatever possible consequences might come my way, I'm not really worried. I'm not worried at all.

To me you are like the Tim Walz of cinema. We have Will and Tim who advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. Harper, I was wondering if you could talk about what you think of men like Will and even Governor Walz, both of whom embody a positive example of tender masculinity that challenges traditional notions of toxic masculinity.
Steele: I'm not sure it's a new phenomenon. In fact, I almost think toxic masculinity is a recent phenomenon. I think people are threatened by trans people, by queer people, by women, and so a little bit of this kind of toxic nature has arisen from that. I think the basic component is men who are not threatened by something that they may be hiding or something that they are afraid of or that is unknown. They are generally good people and either don't care about me or would like to meet and talk to me. Almost all of the men in my life who are straight cisgender men are the kind of people who enjoy being themselves. I'm not going to tell every toxic man that he's not comfortable being himself. I do think that with the expansion of women's rights and the increasing presence of queer people, this kind of mentality seemed to exacerbate the unknown and the fear.

How do you think telling stories like this can influence U.S. attitudes toward trans people and potentially impact pro-trans and anti-trans legislation?
Steele: For us, I think it's just a hope. I'm not sure we're confident we can do it. But for me personally, and I won't speak for Will, the path to that change is to lead by example. I'm not particularly flashy, although I can be. I think this is a great example of allyship. And it's a funny movie, so maybe we can draw people in with that laugh and illustrate that connection.

Ferrell: We're talking about the email Harper sent about her coming out, and then there was a follow-up message where she said, “Look, I'm not a very political person, but because of my transgender nature I am I…” In a way, I'm a political person now. All I ask is that you, as my friends, stand up for me. Do your best, if I'm being treated wrong, just speak up on my behalf, that's all I ask.” That was the lightbulb moment for me: “Oh, if I really went down that route here, that would be “That might be a way to do that and we could have a great time and it would be educational for me too.” Just be like that – lead by example. Show that there is still civility out there, not just between ourselves but in the way we interact with the world.

If there was a sequel, where do you think you would go together next?
Ferrell: I mean, where do you want to go? Saint Tropez or something?

Steele: Saint-Tropez, or I was thinking about space.

Ferrell: Oh, space. Maybe space! Maybe we'll get stuck in space, like the eight-day journey of these two astronauts has now become 80 days, or something like that.

Steele: Yeah, we'll be up there.

When you look back at the beginning of your friendship, is there anything special? “SNL” Sketch that you both worked on together that significantly strengthened your bond and brought you closer together?
Steele: It's a tense environment. He always screwed up my sketches.

Ferrell: On purpose. I thought, “I’ll fix your car.”

Steele: I thought, “That stupid actor.” No. (Laughs.)

Ferrell: You have to remember that there are so many failures on this show that the connection really comes from trying things out at the rewrite table and getting laughs in the room, but the host hated it so it never got picked up.

Steele: Yeah, the whole bond comes from, “I love your sketch.” “I love yours.” None of us do those sketches.

Ferrell: But let's all go have a beer. I don't think there was that aha moment, that one skit where we both said, “That was so great.” But you get to know each other, trust and love each other through the process.