Red, White, and Royal Blue

Alex first becomes impressed with Henry when he overhears the latter telling a little girl that the most important thing in life is to stay true to one’s self. Of course, much of Henry’s subsequent behavior wildly contradicts that statement. Henry is the most extreme example in the book of a character who can’t openly be himself. A conflict exists between Henry’s perception who he is and the expectations of everyone around him. Because he comes from the tradition-bound royal family of England, he is expected to assume a particular role that is totally at odds with his wishes. 

Alex faces a similar problem, but his conditioning was quite different than Henry’s. He wasn’t expected, from his earliest years, to be a paragon. His half-Mexican heritage automatically makes him a bit of an outsider. His theatrical temperament also causes his family to view him as an oddball. For these reasons, it isn’t as much of a stretch for Alex to own his bisexuality. Nor is it as hard for Alex to believe that he can find a way to express who he is in the world.

Alex and Henry aren’t the only characters whose sexual identities are a source of concern. Rafael Luna is gay and deliberately chooses a life in politics, where his personal life must come under constant scrutiny by the public.