The truth is every queer person has the right to come out on their own terms, and on their own timeline. They also have the right to choose not to come out at all. The forced conformity of the closet can not be answered with the forced conformity in coming out of it.
This isn’t about shame. This is about privacy and the fundamental right of self-determination which are exactly the principles on which the struggle for queer liberation has always been fought.
- Red, White, & Royal Blue (2023 / Matthew Lopez, Casey McQuiston)
Ellen Claremont wasn’t a perfect mother (as all moms are) but she taught alex how to love. Alex’s expression of love are bits and pieces of how he received it from his mother. The forehead touches and names of endearment such as “baby”. And Alex echoes Ellen’s willingness to fight for a reason— he fights for love and for what is right.
Henry has become on his own since the passing of Arthur and Catherine’s absence. And the idea that Ellen’s motherly love extends towards Henry through Alex is something that is so important. He didn’t just find a person who loves him but also another set of parents who loves him.
henry and alex’s dads
Alex was made for Henry because he knows exactly how to love him, and Henry was made for Alex because he made Alex find himself through loving him.
(thank you mama claremont for raising a loving beautiful boy, i just know that ellen cares for henry as if he is her own son *cue in tears*)