Jeremy Phillips: Manly Gay Friend

Character Name: Jeremy Anthony Phillips

Age: 17

Appearance:


Year: Junior

Sexuality: Gay

Personality: He's loud, he's proud, he swears like a sailor, and he's far from keeping which team he bats for a secret. However, just because he isn't big on being secretive about his orientation, he will not hesitate to throw a punch if he hears even the slightest utterance of a "fag" or a "queer" insult thrown in his direction. He had enough of that shit before he transferred to Teufort High, and he isn't going to put up with it here. Jeremy is an extremely social creature and has a habit of chatting it up with those he deems as loners, whether they want him there or not. He's a pretty well-known kid if not just for his flamboyancy, but also because he never shuts up or lets a guy feel left out. He knows what it's like to be the outcast, and one could say he picks up those who can relate to that as well.

Background: Jeremy didn't start his high school life at Teufort High. His freshman year was spent at a highly conservative co-ed private school where, for a time, Jeremy positively shone. The only Freshman to make it to the varsity baseball and track teams, he was the rising star of the jock group and had many acquaintances and friends supporting his rise to the school spotlight. In particular, there was one boy on his baseball team, a junior, who had supported Jeremy since his try-out and remained close to Jeremy as the season progressed.

This teen, Andrew, was the close second to Jeremy in skill on the field, but the boy was never jealous or sore about Jeremy's higher ranking despite his being an underclassman. In fact, Jeremy quite adored him for it, and the two were fast friends. Aside from Rémy, Andrew was the only other person Jeremy ever let know of his lack of interest in girls, and was comfortable talking to about his confusion and uncertainty when it came to the possibility of being gay.

At first, Andrew seemed stunned, but he assured Jeremy over and over again that he was okay with it. And then, not even two weeks later, Andrew himself confessed after practice one day that he'd been harboring feelings for his younger teammate, to which Jeremy was more than startled to hear. They shared their first kiss that same afternoon in the empty team locker rooms. It was to be their own little secret love affair.

Things between them went on like this for about a month. Stolen kisses in the bathrooms, sidelong glances across the baseball diamond, Jeremy was happy to go wherever Andrew would take him, including the exclusive parties the upperclassmen held. He'd never really had alcohol before, but the wine coolers being served didn't seem that bad until he began to notice that Andrew was getting drunk. They'd never shown any public displays of affection, but now Andrew was being so incredibly pushy and about it, that Jeremy was beginning to get nervous around him. He played it off at first, kind of like the guys playing gay chicken, and simply pushed Andrew away after a while, but when the two of them were suddenly the center of attention, he didn't know what to do. "Oh c'mon, everyone already knows you're a fag." Jeremy was bewildered and confused when one of the attendees said that, but what was worse was when one of his other teammates, a senior, called out to Andrew and said "Give him a good smooch right here and I'll give ya an extra $50 on top of the deal!"

Andrew laughed loudly and victoriously as he pulled Jeremy into his arms. "Gonna get that new game system thanks'ta you, Jer-Bear."

Come Monday, Andrew was sporting one monster of a black eye and a few missing teeth, and both he and Jeremy were on their way to the office with the principal and his coaches to discuss the boys' futures on the team. However, Jeremy didn't bother negotiating and quit both teams. He didn't need the rest of his former teammates giving him even more dirty looks than they already did when they passed in the halls. By the end of Freshman year, Jeremy was packing up and heading out to Teufort High and the first thing he did upon arriving, was seek out the Queer-Straight Alliance (QSA) table during clubs day.

Extra-curricular activities (clubs, sports, etc.): In school, he's the active and highly involved president of the QSA club, and he also shows a keen interest in the school's parkour/free-running crew. He still plays baseball, but it is only for a small local team outside of school. He doesn't have time to attend all of the practices to play for the school's team.

Anything else you want to add: He and Rémy have been close friends since elementary school. Rémy was the first one to realize that Jer was in the closet, the first to support him when he came out, and the only one Jeremy turned to when shit hit the fan for him his Freshman year. He trusts and confides in Rem with everything about him, and is fiercely loyal and protective of him even though the two seem to bicker constantly when out in public. Seriously, you'd think the two of them were almost enemies at times until you see someone else try to enter the argument, and are met with both Rem AND Jer turning on the intruder.