While Grey’s Anatomy character Levi Schmitt has been unapologetically himself through his career at Grey Sloan Memorial, it took actor Jake Borelli more convincing. “I had so much trepidation. I almost said no to Krista [Vernoff,

"I think it's so beautiful to see two gay men in a loving relationship like this, where they are willing to take huge leaps of faith for one another," Borelli tells PEOPLE

The actor opens up about saying farewell to a character he's played for seven years, the similarities he's had with his Levi Schmitt and how the political climate is villainizing queer people.