The House of Hades discussion

This totally took me by surprise at first, but when I thought about it I thought I remembered a part in a previous book where I thought he might be gay for a second, then quickly dismissed it. I could be delusional, but… did anyone see this coming? Where there any hints in the previous Heroes of Olympus books that alluded to this????

Jasmine wrote: "Not reading the last book because of Nico's little "episode". This is inappropriate, and I will have nothing to do with an author who supports gay rights. This is violating, and horrifying."

Everyone has their own opinions and I respect yours, but this comment is irrelevant to the topic. Please refrain from making negative comments.

Ker Malkin wrote: "I actually didn't know he's gay until I read his confession. But it all makes sense. The way he's acting and all. There's probably a hint in the Son of Neptune when amnesiac Percy met Nico. Idk. I ..."

Yeah, I was looking back in the books for evidence but… I don't know. I might have missed it.

i absolutely love nico. he is my favorite character and has been since he was introduced in the titan's curse. Him being gay changed absolutely NOTHING. hes still a really awesome guy, no matter what way you look at (in my opinion) and nothing is going to change that for me. it did give a reason to his moodiness around some of the other characters, and that helped. say what you want, but i like it.

also, i have openly hated Jason since the lost hero, and this is one of the first time i can honestly say that i think that he lost some of his douchyness . that was a bonus.

no i did not see this one coming. my friend elaine did, but i did not, however a lot of people on fanfiction seemed to have predicted this

I just read to where nick admits hes gay and my first thought was: what the hell are u doing rick!!!! But seriously what exactly was he thinking?

Yeah, I really like how Rick shows how everyone is so insecure! I think it adds a lot to the story and makes it realistic. It's good to know that even though these kids are like superheroes, they have the same doubts and problems as we do (plus, you know, other problems we don't have). I like that he's sending out the message that its okay to be different. Everyone is unique. I love Rick! :)

I love Rick for showing us that. It was bold, really. But there will be haters which is the horrible part...

Kate wrote: "I love Rick for showing us that. It was bold, really. But there will be haters which is the horrible part..."

I was happy he included it, but I was still really surprised. I didn't think he would put something like that in a series supposedly for middle schoolers. But, I mean, when I thought about it, isn't it like saying a boy and a girl are dating? You're not describing any details, just saying that they have fallen in love with each other.

Um... well I wasn't prepared for it. I didn't think he'd put it in because a bunch of younger kids read this. My fifth grade sister just asked, "How can a boy have a crush on a boy?" And I was like... "Um... Jac let's talk about this later." And now my mom's freaking she keeps asking me "Is Percy Jackson honorable? Should you be reading it?" She almost threw away my books when she saw it... I'm kinda mad at Rick for doing it. If that one phrase makes me lose my books well then... ain't no body gonna be able to stop this hades from breaking loose

Yeah... I can see your problem. He's probably introducing this concept to a lot of little kids right now.

I just don't know how anyone could have predicted this I mean I read it and thought no way. Has anyone seen any clues to it if so do you have an example?

On another note I think it was a really great story line. Not only because it makes it more realistic and people can relate to it more but it really opens up a new story line. I'm curious whether Jason will tell anyone or Percy or even someone else will find out

Giulia402 wrote: "I just don't know how anyone could have predicted this I mean I read it and thought no way. Has anyone seen any clues to it if so do you have an example?

On another note I think it was a really gr..."

Exactly!
I think it's gotta come out sometime... how could the other six not find out? I'm also surprised he introduced this twist so late onto the story. He's not going to have much time to develop this, and I wish that he did!

yeah, i am really anticipating that big reveal. how will the other's take it. and ya, one of my friends did predict this, but i told her she was crazy. goes to show what i know

Rachel wrote: "yeah, i am really anticipating that big reveal. how will the other's take it. and ya, one of my friends did predict this, but i told her she was crazy. goes to show what i know"

XD Did this friend get any clues from the books, or was it a random guess?

i have no idea. i think it was a fanfic

Oh goodness. Can these people like, see into the future or something???? XD

Ariel wrote: "Ker Malkin wrote: "I actually didn't know he's gay until I read his confession. But it all makes sense. The way he's acting and all. There's probably a hint in the Son of Neptune when amnesiac Perc..."

I actually don't think there's much evidence to be found, cause Rick just blends it in so well with the story that your not sure.

Yeah... that makes sense, but I keep seeing that people predicted it, and for some reason I feel like I guessed it...

Ariel wrote: "Jasmine wrote: "Not reading the last book because of Nico's little "episode". This is inappropriate, and I will have nothing to do with an author who supports gay rights. This is violating, and hor..."


Her comment wasn't negative. It was an opinion.

true as that may be, it's still discrimination.

Ariel wrote: "This totally took me by surprise at first, but when I thought about it I thought I remembered a part in a previous book where I thought he might be gay for a second, then quickly dismissed it. I co..."
I guessed it when someone mentioned Annabeth, somehow, I knew it couldn't be her :P

Jasmine wrote: "Not reading the last book because of Nico's little "episode". This is inappropriate, and I will have nothing to do with an author who supports gay rights. This is violating, and horrifying."

I read it but I actually totally agree with this comment :]

Jasmine wrote: "Not reading the last book because of Nico's little "episode". This is inappropriate, and I will have nothing to do with an author who supports gay rights. This is violating, and horrifying."

GROW UP.

But either way, I applaud Mr. Riordan for taking such a risk and helping humanize gay people to a new generation and giving miserable and confused gay kids someone to relate and look up to :)

I had a feeling since he was so passive-agressive with Percy, of course he blamed him for Bianca's death but...I don't know, I remember how my friend was acting the first time she liked a girl, she made fun of her, insulted her, picked fights with her, she didn't want to talk to me about it, was pretty moody...two months later, Voila! Girlfriends, but it didn't end well though...

Once again, I tip my hat to this magnificent man for including so many races this time around, exploring the relationships with the demigod's families, absentee parents and now Nico.

:)

I really respect Rick Riordan for adding this bit about Nico, It's kind of sad since Nico and Percy will never end up together and that raises the chances of his death in the last book, but all the hate Rick's getting because he wrote a truth? That's despicable.

Stop being homophobes for one and all.

the story of nico caught me by surprise! i wasn't paying much attention to his actions towards percy from previous books but hey... nico and percy?

and I was like, I just finished The Song of Achilles like las August and another "bromance"? Yay!

I hope Nico will get several chapters from the next book to explain his side you know... I support Nico!

But from what I've read above.. some of you guys are right, maybe nico will die or something on the next book. but i'm hoping for the best!

love between men is not taboo in greek myth... try to read ur books.. u'll see... Go Nico

Ariel wrote: "Yeah... that makes sense, but I keep seeing that people predicted it, and for some reason I feel like I guessed it..."
same here, i don't know maybe it was cause of all the posts on tumblr. but i seriously think rick did what the fandom wanted him to do, this time

Jaymee wrote: "the story of nico caught me by surprise! i wasn't paying much attention to his actions towards percy from previous books but hey... nico and percy?

and I was like, I just finished The Song of Ach..."
yeah i think so too, remember what the dead predicted? That a child of Hades/Pluto will die in the HoH? I think thats going to be long overdue. Which Sucks, btw.

I honestly don't understand how people could stop supporting Rick because of this. No matter what your beliefs, it is a fact that homosexuality exists, and it's a large part of our world today. I can't make anyone start supporting gay rights, but I think it's really important and pretty much genius the way Rick introduced the topic into these books. Nico is a character we've watched grow up, and as was mentioned earlier in this topic, knowing he's gay doesn't change my opinion about him one bit. And why shouldn't children know about homosexuality just as much as heterosexuality? In fact, wouldn't intolerance get a lot better if we just taught everyone about any kind of sexuality when they're young?

As for seeing it coming - I definitely didn't, although looking back at the books, I realize there were clues all along.

Sev -the best is yet to come- wrote: "I honestly don't understand how people could stop supporting Rick because of this. No matter what your beliefs, it is a fact that homosexuality exists, and it's a large part of our world today. I c..."


i agree with you. we already have a lot of issues in america and i would hate for someone's sexuality to become a big deal

I don't think that Nico is gay as in he wants to be in a sexual relationship with Percy. That totally doesn't fit Nico's character to me at all. I think it's more fitting that Nico would have romantic feelings for Percy, but I'm still not even sure that's what's going on. When Nico first met Percy, it was in the middle of a battle with monsters straight out of Nico's favorite game of Mythomagic. And Percy saved Nico's life. I think that's significant there, because I can definitely see how Nico would admire Percy and probably want to be more like him. Then Bianca died, and Nico was mad at and hurt by Percy, but even then, Percy still tried to save Nico's life and care for the boy. Nico, before that, had never had male figure in his life look out for and care for him. Even Nico's own father didn't really care for him. From there, I can see how Nico would develop feelings for Percy, even if they're not homosexual in their core.

While it was initially shocking (well, sort of, since someone spoiled it for me), I don't think it was without premediation at all. The evidence was always there, although I do think it was hidden very well by Rick Riordan because we've never seen any scene from Nico's point of view and Nico's not exactly forthcoming about his feelings or easy to predict in any way. I do think that it was an interesting decision on Mr. Riordan's part to include a character who isn't straight. (Technically, that's debatable, since straightness is reserved for sexual interests, and, as I said earlier, I'm not certain that Nico is gay.)

For the argument about including homosexuality (or a relationship that's not between a boy and a girl, whatever) in a children's book, I have this response: regardless of other novels in the genre, the Percy Jackson and Heroes of Olympus books have always been about Greek mythology. It is a well known fact that sexuality in Ancient Greece and its myths is significantly more loose than sexuality is in American culture today. Although Rick Riordan has toned it down quite a bit from the original myths, already there have been instances of suggestive sexual relationships within the books. There's bestiality, with the notable example of the bear twins Agrius and Oreius, whose mother was bewitched to fall in love with a bear. There's also incest: Zeus and Hera are the prime example of a brother and sister getting married and having children. There are many more examples in the mythology, but those are two that show up in the books' canon. Personally, I think that homosexuality and homoeroticism are much less scandalous that bestiality and incest. If Rick Riordan is going to include the first two, then I think it's about time he included a relationship that isn't between a male and female. If someone wants to stop reading the series because Mr. Riordan added in the possibility of a relationship between two human males, then that's up to them and I won't make a fuss. But I don't think it's okay to try and convince other people to stop reading the series because an author supports gay rights (which isn't even proven just because he included a character who isn't 100% straight) or because there's homosexual/homoromantic subjects in the book. And, if you don't agree with Mr. Riordan's decision, please don't send hate to him or to people who support his decision. That's definitely not okay.

I think that it was a very nice move by Rick to put this in a book. It's becoming more accepted so we will see it more often. Kids need to know about this and parents need to step it up and talk to there kids about it. I think that it's funny that people would make such a big fuss over it. It's just something that happens and you can't control it. Homosexuality has been happening for centuries. Let people be who they want to be. I personally admire Rick even more for putting this topic into a children's book, he probably knows that he might lose fans but he wants to get the point across that this is now acceptable and it's educating younger kids that they can be whoever they want to be and not have society crawling down their throats. So Go Team Rick! You were very smart and brave to put this topic into your fantabulous book.

No he can't be gay, Why Rick!!!! I been in love with Nico since I was twelve. *Crying in a corner*

Umm... I really don't know what to say about this, but I thought these books were for 9-12 year-olds.

Grace wrote: "Umm... I really don't know what to say about this, but I thought these books were for 9-12 year-olds."

They're for everyone.

I love Nico so much idk omg I think he's like perfect and the fact that he's gay doesn't change how awesome he is, like dude some people are gay get over it. Their sexuality does not define them.

Aurora wrote: "I don't think that Nico is gay as in he wants to be in a sexual relationship with Percy. That totally doesn't fit Nico's character to me at all. I think it's more fitting that Nico would have roman..."

I totally agree with Aurora.

Jasmine wrote: "Not reading the last book because of Nico's little "episode". This is inappropriate, and I will have nothing to do with an author who supports gay rights. This is violating, and horrifying."

Pretty unnecessary. Stop

Diana wrote: "Grace wrote: "Umm... I really don't know what to say about this, but I thought these books were for 9-12 year-olds."

They're for everyone."

Well the age average on these are really young ,and when you find these books at Barns and Nobles they're always in the children section. I'm not saying adults can't read these, it's just that Nico's secret came as a shock to me.

I agree with Aurora that the House of Hades has done an excellent job of showing us one thing - that when the parents aren't around, the kids' lives are very difficult. There is nothing wrong with bringing that issue up, as it is certainly an important one. However, I feel like this book has left me empty because though Rick Riordan vividly paints the problem for us (he shows us Leo's sadness as a little kid as he runs from school to school with no parents, he shows us Luke's difficult life with a father who does precious little to provide for his incapacitated mother and frightened son, etc, etc) he never gives us a solution! Where are the involved parents who show us what happens when parents DO care about their kids? (Rachel Elizabeth Dare's family certainly doesn't do that.) And why is Rick forcing a controversial topic on very young children without warning the parents first? That sounds like something Kronos would do, not Athena.

This book has plenty of action and fascinating character development, but I'd say calling it "realistic" is a stretch. There IS an answer to the world's problems, and we are not facing any of the challenges in our lives alone, no mater how impossible they may seem.

Thank you for reading. :)

Joy wrote: "I agree with Aurora that the House of Hades has done an excellent job of showing us one thing - that when the parents aren't around, the kids' lives are very difficult. There is nothing wrong with ..."

Excuse my super long post, I might have gotten a bit carried away. Also, Joy, this is not only a reply to you but my own opinions of what I feel the need to say and add to this discussion. LOL so yeah.

This series (Percy Jackson and Heroes of Olympus both), although a fantasy one, has always mirrored struggles in our lives, such as saving the environment, racism, etc; one could even argue that it even shows the flaws of the school system. Also, keep in mind that although this is a children's series, people of all ages read it, myself for example, as I, myself, am a teen.
I think that this book series was originally made in the first place to help other "misfits", to show that they, in fact, do belong, and are not alone. (ADHD and dyslexia being one of the original areas). Then with kids with family problems. Then racism. (Mostly by introducing characters with different ethnicities- Chinese, Italian, Japanese, Mexican, etc. and even focuses on relationships where the people aren't the same race (frank and hazel). Even discrimination (hazels past, for example- she went to a different school because of her race or something like that). I dont see how sexuality is any different, especially with it being such a controversial topic in the world today. (And in my opinion, love is love).

However, as the main characters are demigods, obviously familial issues are a main part of many characters' lives. You cant write a series about kids with godly parents with divine duty and whatnot and not write about those glaring issues. However, just because sometimes the godly parent isn't around (and sometimes even more than that), there are characters with caring parents, such as Sally Jackson. Later in the series, Annabeth's family. Maria di Angelo (although she died, she had her children's best interests at heart). Same goes for Leo's mother. Franks mother and grandmother. And Rick does present solutions to the family problems, such as Annabeth's reconciliation with her mortal family, and even sometimes shows the bond family has with the Olympians, despite the huge battles. Annabeth's and Percy's mortal family do get involved to help their kids (Annabeth's father shooting monsters with his fighter plane thing and Percy's mom and Paul fighting monsters). And what's more, their parents accept them.

Also, this is only my opinion, but why can't kids choose for themselves what they want to believe? Because, sadly, many parents today are too prejudiced by their already existing beliefs and force it on their children. And please don't say it's because they are too young, they are naive, etc. Children are actually extremely intuitive and see the world through a clear lens free from other prejudices- although they can't necessarily be as smart as older people intellectually, their view of the world philosophically is untainted and often times cuts straight to the fundamental issues instead of being swayed by other beliefs. I think it's good that Rick is giving kids the chance to decide for themselves. And these days, gay rights is such a highly controversial topic that I highly doubt most of them have no knowledge of it at all.
In my opinion, I feel that Rick handled this topic well, and I especially liked the fact that because we know Nico from previous books, Nico is not defined by his sexuality; he is still the same Nico. That is important to show- that he is still the same person personality wise, although Tartarus did make him more brooding. I think Rick captured many teens internal struggles quite well and portrayed it realistically and respectfully. (I have friends who have encountered similar struggles so I can vouch for that). I don't see the problem people have with it :/ Greek myths included in PJO and HoO have included topics such as incest, bestiality, rape, murder, and no one questions it- yet one character likes a character of their own gender, people are disgusted by it and vowing that they will never touch the series again. Which is extremely hypocritical.
Ultimatey, Rick is spreading awareness to the younger masses, about many different societal and personal issues and I fail to see the problem. They are gonna find out one way or another, isn't it better for the kids to decide for themselves?

Grace wrote: "Umm... I really don't know what to say about this, but I thought these books were for 9-12 year-olds."

It really bugs me when people say, "Let's not talk about things like sexual orientation until children are older! They're not mature enough to handle it!"
Because they are.

A. Instead of going off on a rant about how we dismiss children as immature and incapable of grasping such hard concepts as death, sex and abuse, I will point you to this article. Read it in its entirety.

B. I don't know how old you are/your experience in grade school, but I'm eighteen and I distinctly remember being asked out by the time I was eleven. By brother is eight and he's already had crushes on other children. Children are already romantically active by the time they are in upper elementary school. This is exactly the right age group we should be talking to about these things. Especially for children who aren't heterosexual/cisgender (trans*), but also for the children who are.

C. Children who are not heterosexual realize that they are different by the 3rd to 5th grade. Non-cisgender kids (trans*) often realize it earlier. Imagine being told for years that heterosexuality is the only sexuality that existed - that it's always boy/girl. It sticks everybody - hetero & non-hetero - into this mindset that heterosexuality is the norm, and that anything else is different. Do you know how hard it is to pull people out of that mindset? Do you know how much crap non-hetero/cisgender people go through in later grade school because of this? Can you imagine how harmful that is?

So I say, teach kids that not every John is attracted to every Jane, not every Jane wants to have kids, and sometimes John would rather be a Jane. Teach them all that and teach them it early, before they become judgmental, hormonal teenagers set in their ways. Because not only are children capable of understanding issues such as sexual orientation, they have probably already come across them.

The only reason we fret about children not understanding trans*gender/homosexuality is because we automatically teach them heterosexuality, not because they are incapable of understanding sexuality.

Grace wrote: "Umm... I really don't know what to say about this, but I thought these books were for 9-12 year-olds."

my brother is 9, and all anyone at his school ever talks about is being gay. kids know more than people give them credit for.

Kcatty wrote: "Grace wrote: "Umm... I really don't know what to say about this, but I thought these books were for 9-12 year-olds."

It really bugs me when people say, "Let's not talk about things like sexual ori..."

I agree.

I also think that using Nico to be gay works very well because he is an old, already loved character and we know that he is the same person. I think RR was VERY smart to use him.

Carrie the awesome wrote: "Kcatty wrote: "Grace wrote: "Umm... I really don't know what to say about this, but I thought these books were for 9-12 year-olds."

It really bugs me when people say, "Let's not talk about things ..."

true. had rick introduced a new character who was gay, it would have been a little harder to adjust too. everyone already knows nico and that helps people be less prejudiced.

I'm so disappointed! The biggest problem that I have with this move in his books is that his target audience is children. Parent's buy these books for their children because they know that they are good and funny. Overall they have been clean. This, this just crosses a line. Parent's weren't warned and children don't need to be reading this stuff in their books. It's true that they need to know about this kind of stuff, but you don't have to put it in their media. It's unnecessary and we can give them better things to be reading. The author doesn't have to include that. It's a choice. I would rather read a book that uplifting and makes me feel good, rather than a book that makes me want to puke because the author decided to include a homosexual character. I don't want to read about that stuff. I'm so disappointed with him. I think that he might have been pressured into this. He hasn't even alluded to other things of this nature in any of his earlier books. I wouldn't want my younger siblings reading this kind of stuff. There are plenty of other better, uplifting, praiseworthy, virtuous, lovely, or of good report books out there for kids to read. We don't need to pervert their minds. The world/society is already doing that for us. It's was totally unnecessary of him to include that. I probably won't read a book by him again. I'll just wear out my Percy Jackson books out more. They're better anyway and I don't have to worry about a thing. I'm sorry Riordan that you had to fall to everyone else's expectations. You were better than that.

Thoughts from my friend:The moment that I read rick's 'big reveal' I flipped out. I was SO mad that he had decided to include this is his story - it is TOTALLY unnecessary and has nothing to do with the plot. This is series generated for CHILDREN. If Riordan was trying to create a place in his books to slip in controversial topics and discuss things like homosexuality and abortion and whatever else, he can go put up a blog post! This is not the place to do that! His writing is so radically different from this new crap, and the difference is just thrust into the story, NOTHING in the previous books alludes to this, and it seriously has ruined my appreciation for Riordan as a writer. I honestly cannot even think about the series in the same way anymore. He literally changed the entire story by bringing in such a turn for the characters. How are they supposed to deal with that? This is FICTION. they can fly and shoot fireballs. What in the world does their sexual inclinations have to do with that? BADLY DONE, RIORDAN. BADLY DONE.

Brenna wrote: "I'm so disappointed! The biggest problem that I have with this move in his books is that his target audience is children. Parent's buy these books for their children because they know that they ar..."


sooner or later kids need to know this and what's the big deal anyway?? people talk about it constantly and some kids already have crushes on other gender so what's the big deal if they can't learn about homosexual characters????

Brenna wrote: "I'm so disappointed! The biggest problem that I have with this move in his books is that his target audience is children. Parent's buy these books for their children because they know that they ar..."

These books have already discussed (among other things): virginity & birth, marriage, cheating on spouses, sex (or the possibility thereof), incest, bestiality and absent parents; and in the last few books we've had Percy, who in the original book was twelve years old, thinking about marriage, adult life and having children. Riordan is keeping it PG by avoiding cursing, graphic violence and sex - aka at the level of a Disney kid's movie. And for almost all the topics I listed above, I can point to a Disney/kid's movie with that topic. (Except bestiality. That's just weird.)

There's nothing more sexual or mature about homosexual characters/people than there is about heterosexual characters/people. We've already seen seven major heterosexual relationships through the two series.

Honestly it pisses me off when people assume that homosexuality is "dirty" or an "adult matter". It's a fact of life and part of the identity of millions of people. Children don't just form their sexualities once they turn 13; they are born with them, and are aware of them well before puberty starts.

Brenna wrote: "I'm so disappointed! The biggest problem that I have with this move in his books is that his target audience is children. Parent's buy these books for their children because they know that they ar..."

Don't kid yourself. Most children already know about gay rights, etc. There are middle schoolers that are in relationships, for fucks sake.

And I don't know how much you've read PJO, but despite it being a fantasy series, RICK HAS ALWAYS INCLUDED REALISTIC PORTRAYALS OF REAL LIFE MATTERS. He has included racism and discrimination, ADHD and dyslexia, poverty, saving the environment, etc, too identify with those kids who are in the same position. How is sexuality any different? Also, it's completely PG, it's not even remotely sexual, Nico does not want to bang Percy, he has a crush. CRUSH being the key word, not wild hot sex. How is a crush tainting their minds? Does it horrify you that there are people that aren't straight in the world? How is Nico having a crush on Percy any different if it was say, Annabeth? There are kids at this very moment struggling with Nico's exact feelings- this book only helps them. People who aren't straight read this series, I know some of them, reading it doesnt make them straight. Just like reading a book with non-straight characters won't make straight children gay.

Also, how in the world did it radically change the story line? Nico's feelings are only explicitly mentioned once or twice in the whole book. The only thing that was mentioned after was Hazel and Leo wondering why Jason was defending Nico, and some random thoughts regarding Nico. (Which, isn't unusual, all the characters have thoughts regarding EVERYONE, there's no difference.)He's not even in the prophecy. How did his feelings change the story line at all? The only one who's feelings have changed are you.

Honestly, gay rights is such a controversial and widespread issue that I highly doubt that children don't know anything about it. Trust me, they know about it. And that's a good thing. Rick is spreading awareness to the younger generation, which is good, because they won't be biased by lets say, their parents' prejudices. Kids aren't fragile beings that need to be protected from this topic, they can handle them. They are extremely intuitive and are sometimes wiser than many adults.

In this book, Nico became my new favourite character. I think it's mostly because I feel bad for him. Cupid was very cruel to Nico. It made me see a part of Nico that I hadn't really paid attention to before.

Children know a lot more than some people give them credit for. Nowadays, they learn everything from the internet and TV. I once heard a kid, around seven or eight years old, say the f-bomb. And the thing is? The kid's parents didn't even care.

See, at that young age, kids know what's out there. They may not have accepted it yet, but they are aware of all the topics some adults try to hide from them. And that's fine--what better age to learn it at? But it's the parents who should tell their kids how touchy the subject is. Gosh, there are kids out there, ages 9-12, who have been bullied because of their sexuality, or have smoked a cigarette, or have become alcoholics, or have had sex! It's uncommon, but from what I've seen on the news, on the net, and in real life, it happens.

I support gay rights wholeheartedly. You can't help what you are. It's not like they wake up one day and say, "I want to be gay today." That's not how it works. It's not a choice. Nobody chooses who they fall in love with. It just...happens. Why should a person be shunned from society if Cupid's arrow hits someone of the same sex? I hate it when a person disses gay people.

Back to Nico. I was so shocked when I find out he had a crush on Percy. I'm okay with him being gay; what's the big deal? But with Percy...I've always thought that Nico thought of Percy as an older brother. It explains the love/hate feelings Nico had. Nico having a crush on Percy just doesn't make sense for me. I don't remember there being any hint of any romantic feelings that Nico had for Percy. To me, it all seemed brotherly.