Justin Suarez

Justin Suarez is a fictional character on the American comedy-drama series Ugly Betty (2006–2010). Portrayed by actor Mark Indelicato, Justin is raised by his mother, Hilda; both of them live with his aunt, Betty, and grandfather, Ignacio. A musical theatre and fashion enthusiast, Ugly Betty follows adolescent Justin as he matures and navigates school, while exploring his sexual orientation. Although the character exhibits stereotypically gay interests and mannerisms, the show does not address his sexuality until its fourth season, despite constant speculation and support from his family.

Justin was created by series creator Silvio Horta, who partially based the character on his own upbringing as a gay teenager raised by a single mother. The character was created to serve as a comedic foil and advisor to Betty. Deciding Justin was too young to be sexualized, the show's producers opted to leave his sexual orientation undisclosed for much of the series. Indelicato was 11 years-old when he was cast as Justin, having auditioned for the role while he was performing in a school musical production. Justin's coming out storyline mirrored Indelicato's personal life; the actor was confronting his own sexual orientation while his character was preparing to come out on the series. Instead of immediately coming out to his family, Justin confides in Betty's openly gay co-worker Marc St. James, who helps him cope with high school bullies and dating. Justin finally affirms that he is gay by dancing with his new boyfriend, Austin, at his mother's wedding at the end of the series.

Before Justin came out, Ugly Betty fans heavily speculated about the character's sexual orientation for most of the show's duration. One of the youngest gay characters on television at the time, Justin was well received by critics and audiences, who praised the subtlety of his coming out storyline. Critics were also very receptive towards Justin's acceptance by his family, which was welcomed as a refreshing representation of a Latino American family, as well as his friendship with Marc. Several media publications have since cited Justin among the greatest LGBT characters in television history.

Ugly Betty revolves around main character Betty Suarez (America Ferrera), an unglamorous young woman, and the challenges she faces working at the fashion magazine MODE. Justin Suarez is introduced as Betty's 11-year-old nephew, the flamboyant and fashion-obsessed son of her older sister, Hilda (Ana Ortiz). Justin is thrilled when Betty is hired as the personal assistant of Daniel Meade (Eric Mabius), editor-in-chief of MODE. Originally estranged from his father Santos (Kevin Alejandro), Justin reunites with him when Hilda begins to date him once again. Santos originally struggles to accept Justin's effeminate ways, but their relationship gradually improves. Although Justin's mother, aunt and grandfather Ignacio (Tony Plana) assume that Justin could potentially be gay, his sexual orientation goes largely unaddressed, apart from occasional hints due to his behavior and interests. Despite his family's support, Justin opts to keep his attraction to boys secret from them, instead choosing to confide in Betty's openly gay co-worker Marc St. James (Michael Urie), who becomes a friend, mentor and brotherly figure.

As Justin matures during the fourth season, he struggles to accept his own sexuality. He befriends a jock who shares his interest in musicals, only for the jock to publicly dismiss Justin when the latter's athletic friends tease him about their friendship. Justin is forced to enroll in public school after he is rejected by the performing arts high school of his choice. Bullied by his schoolmates, he is disparagingly crowned homecoming queen, which he embraces by bestowing the crown and title upon his mother. Marc advises Justin to befriend his school's cheerleaders for protection from bullies.

Marc guides Justin towards gradually coming out of the closet. Originally, Justin briefly asserts his "heterosexuality", pretending to like his classmate Lily, whom he kisses in a school production, before accepting his feelings for male friend Austin (Ryan McGinnis) upon kissing him shortly afterward. Hilda's new fiancé, Bobby Talercio (Adam Rodriguez), discovers them kissing but promises not to tell Justin's family. Stopping his family from holding a surprise coming out party for Justin before he comes out himself, Marc advises them to simply allow Justin to come out to them at his own pace. Shortly after beginning to date Austin, Justin finally decides to come out as gay at his mother's wedding in the penultimate episode of the series. Instead of publicly announcing his sexuality, Justin quietly leads Austin onto the dancefloor, where they dance among his family.

According to the show's early stage directions, Ugly Betty creator Silvio Horta conceived Justin "as an effeminate 11- or 12-year-old" boy. Although the show originally opted to not address Justin's sexual orientation, Horta – who was gay himself – decided the character should experience a gradual journey as he matures. However, Horta did not write Justin with the intention of creating television's first gay child character, but simply as "a humorous foil for Betty", serving as a young fashion-forward advisor for the main character. Because Justin and his struggles with his sexuality were partially inspired by Horta's own life and upbringing, the creator was particularly fond of the character and approached his coming out delicately. Specifically, Justin and Hilda's relationship is based on Horta's experience growing up with a single mother. Having come out to his own Cuban-American family at age 19, Horta saw some aspects of himself in Justin, elaborating, "Growing up, I certainly felt like an outsider at times. But there's this sweet innocence in Justin that sees the positive". Similar to Justin, Horta also preferred the arts over sports, particularly excelling in writing, although he described himself as "never quite as flamboyant or as into fashion or, you know, musical theater” as the character he created.

'Ugly Betty' has definitely helped me cope with issues I would have never been able to cope with if I wasn't a part of a show that has such unique characters ... that's why people can relate to Justin -- because he's like that too. They can see that he does feel different and he gets made fun of for the clothes he wears. To see him finally accept and be happy with who he is and who he has become is a great message for any teen to learn from a character, and that's just something that is crazy and great for me."