Of course, Leslie. Ennis' relationship with Hal. His visits to the nursing home and the deepening friendship leading to Hal coming home to die. And...the last kiss of his life, with Ennis, and on the lips. And the rainbow in the sky as Hal dies. Ennis acknowledged then that he was really, truly gay. And so did a few others who were reading the story.
Well, you knew I would want to get a word in on this, too, hunh? The deep friendship Ennis developed with Hal in
A Love Born from Steel was no plot device. Jack was thrilled to see it happen; he realized that Ennis didn't make friends easily. Hal took an interest in Ennis as a person, and that sealed the bargain. Ennis realized that he could have fallen in love with Hal if he had been born years earlier. This realization enabled him to recognize and accept his own homosexuality.
In the
Laramie Saga Ennis begins to recognize and accept his homosexuality gradually. As he falls in love with Ellery he is able to come out, at least to himself and his beloved. As he sees the acceptance of others, especially Wes, Edna and Dupree, he can come out of the closet more and more. It's a natural process, and I'm looking forward to seeing it unfold more and more.