How Justin Suarez Came Out to Mom
[flv:http://www.queerty.com/wp/docs/2010/04/uglyjustindance.mp4 http://www.queerty.com/wp/docs/2010/04/justinuglybg75.jpg 650 400]
And so, he did it. On last night’s Ugly Betty, Justin Suarez came out to his mother. Without saying anything. Well, not at first: Of course they had to TALK ABOUT IT afterward!
If you’ve been watching the series for any amount of time, you’ll know Justin’s sexuality has never been a big secret. We sort of all assumed, from the beginning, that he was a gay teenager, and that his Aunt Betty and mom Hilda, and even gramps knew he wasn’t playing for their team. But it went undiscussed for so long, with just a few hints dropped along the way (his love for Beyonce, for example). Then along came the storyline involving Marc St. James, acting as Justin’s big brother in all things gay, slowly guiding him out of the closet.
But in recent episodes, as Justin came to grips with his sexuality, and his soon-to-be stepfather caught him smooching his boyfriend, we were briefly treated to Justin recoiling from what everybody thought even he knew about himself. Very quickly (in television time), he got tired of withholding his true self, and at his mother’s wedding put it all on display.
Yes, it’s television. And yes, some might call the Suarez’s level of acceptance on par with fairytales. But here we have a Mexican-American fey kid coming out to his mother in front of millions of viewers, and she’s proud of him. Props to the writers on that one, and even bigger props for ensuring none of it felt overly chintzy.
This was one of the sweetest scenes on tv I’ve ever experienced. Haven’t ever really watched Ugly Betty, but was really touched with this story line over the last couple of weeks. How awesome to have such amazing characters portrayed so positively in prime time! Too bad the show is ending! Spinoff, maybe???
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I’ll just say, contrary to Yuki, please continue. I stopped watching Ugly Betty Early on, but always liked the character of Justin. I want to know about this coming out. I don’t want to wait three or four days, just in case someone didn’t see it. It’s not a spoiler after the show has aired. It really isn’t.
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Ok ABC you are somewhat forgiven for all the Lambart drama, I was just sitting on the couch tears rolling down my cheeks like a freaking little girl while watching that scene………
Sure it’s unfortunately not the outcome a Gay teen usually faces, but it sure was nice to get lost in the fantasy for a few minutes………..*sigh*
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The fact is that coming out for some teens is actually like this, some families are this supportive. The way I came out was essentially the same. I surprised my parents by bringing my boyfriend to Thanksgiving dinner.
Haven’t we seen enough of those “very special episodes”? With the whole dramatic unveiling. I think that angle has been played. Ugly Betty gives people a lot of hope (in a variety of ways) and I think this shows young LGBT teens that coming out isn’t always met with rage. The episode is encouraging instead of frightening. I like it.
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It was adorable how everyone in the Suarez family was more accepting of Justin’s sexuality than Justin himself. It was especially funny how his grandpa was all excited and reading pamphlets learning about “the gays”
Favorite television moment of acceptance: Grandpa Suarez walking over to Justin’s bf saying, “I’m just going to welcome him to the family.”
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i love ugly betty and LOVED this scene. i loved it because -contrary to the above comments – it is not a fantasy. this is exactly how i came out to my family. i never sat them down and had the ‘i’m gay’ talk. i brought my boyfriend to a party and danced with him and introduced him to family/friends. it really can happen. our society is slowly but surely moving in the right direction. (and yes, i know i am an exception to the norm – i live in MA and i am fortunate to have liberal/accepting family and friends… that said, i hope that the acceptance i am blessed with will someday be enjoyed by every GLBT person.)
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Reply to Nicholas:
That’s basically how I came out as well, only instead of a party, it was Thanksgiving, I invited my boyfriend over and introduced him to everyone. They all knew he was my boyfriend, but I didn’t have the big “Everyone, I have an announcement” speech. Then after dinner as my mom and I were clearing the table, I asked her if she liked him, and she said “Yes, he’s a very sweet boy, I hope he makes you happy”. And that was that. I wasn’t kicked out of the house, no one cried, my father didn’t stop talking to me … It actually does happen like this to people if they are truly lucky to have accepting, open-minded families. I, too, am from Massachusetts and I couldn’t imagine living in a part of the country where freedom to love isn’t honored. GO NEW ENGLAND! :)
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@Nicholas: That’s basically how I came out as well, only instead of a party, it was Thanksgiving, I invited my boyfriend over and introduced him to everyone. They all knew he was my boyfriend, but I didn’t have the big “Everyone, I have an announcement” speech. Then after dinner as my mom and I were clearing the table, I asked her if she liked him, and she said “Yes, he’s a very sweet boy, I hope he makes you happy”. And that was that. I wasn’t kicked out of the house, no one cried, my father didn’t stop talking to me … It actually does happen like this to people if they are truly lucky to have accepting, open-minded families. I, too, am from Massachusetts and I couldn’t imagine living in a part of the country where freedom to love isn’t honored. GO NEW ENGLAND! :)
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I actually had tears of joy when the two of them danced. If only comeing out to your family was as simple and as excepting as that.