Meet the Characters: Ethan

Ethan technically makes his first appearance in Time Heals, when Gabe learns he has a child with Rachel. Other than playing hockey and being friends with Gavin at an early age, he doesn’t really make an impact until Out on the Ice.

He is the goalie of Gavin’s championship hockey team. Gavin is his best friend, and they are literally closer than brothers. Ethan is even the one responsible for setting Gavin up with his first girlfriend (before Cam comes out, of course).

Ethan’s father is severely homophobic, so Ethan was brought up thinking it was wrong. When Jace and Gavin get together, Ethan is horrible to them.

Eventually, he learns acceptance and befriends Jace. And falls for Cam in the very beginning of Cam’s transition.

Ethan struggles with what a relationship with Cam means for him. Is he gay? His father doesn’t accept it. His father says he will never see Cam as a guy, and even if he did, two guys couldn’t be together. At least not in his family.

Ethan’s journey to acceptance will always be a special one to me because it’s just so real. How many children out there are raised by parents who think the LGBTQ+ community is beneath them? How many of these children adapt their own parents’ beliefs instead of forming their own opinions? Yet, Ethan is able to overcome that obstacle and not only renew his friendship with Gavin, but pursue a relationship with Cam. Even though their relationship doesn’t ultimately last, Ethan definitely shows the most growth of my characters to date.