Justin Taylor

Lore & Background

The character was created by Ron Cowen and Daniel Lipman, who developed, wrote and executive-produced the series, and was portrayed by American actor Randy Harrison during the show's five-year run, and is based on Nathan Maloney of Russell T Davies' original British series of the same name. Known for his optimism and cheery disposition, Justin is a gay teenager who seeks out a gay community in his hometown of Pittsburgh. After losing his virginity to Brian Kinney during his senior year of high school, Justin falls in love with Brian, and their relationship becomes a central part of the series. Many of Justin's storylines revolve around his desire for a more committed relationship with Brian; in later seasons, the character's storylines begin to focus more on his developing career as an artist.

In Their Own Story

The sun was dropping behind the palm trees on the west side of the park, painting the outfield wall in bands of amber and rust. The score was 4-3, Marlins up, and the lefty in the batter's box had just pulled a two-run shot in the previous at-bat. The manager pointed to the bullpen. Taylor was already in his stretch, glove up, eyes locked on the plate. He walked to the mound, set his feet, and the whole stadium seemed to hold its breath. First pitch: inside, called ball. Second: a changeup, low and away, the lefty fouled it weakly to the left-field line. Third: a fastball, sitting right over the black. The swing was a blur of wood and air, and the ball dropped into the glove with a sound like a book closing. The third baseman turned the double play before the dust settled. Taylor walked back to the bullpen, nodded to the next guy, and the crowd's murmur shifted from tension to relief. No one would write a headline about that inning. But everyone in the stands felt it.

Reader's Guide

In the pilot episode, Justin Taylor is a high school student at St. James Academy, a private school in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His father, Craig Taylor, owns an electronics business called Taylor Electronics, and his mother, Jennifer, is a real estate agent. During the first season, Justin's parents struggle to come to terms with their son's homosexuality. His father kicks him out of the house, and Justin remains estranged from his father for the rest of the series. While his mother Jennifer needs a little time to understand her son, after several months she becomes supportive of Justin and becomes involved in PFLAG. Justin is teased by many of the male students at his school who suspect he is gay, and he spends most of his time with his best friend Daphne Chanders. He excels at school and desires to be an artist. After meeting Brian Kinney, Justin is brought into Brian's circle of friends, with Michael Novotny's mother, Debbie Novotny, soon treating Justin as another son. Justin appreciates romance and aspires to be monogamous with Brian; in later seasons, he mentions wanting to get married and have a family. Justin attends the Pittsburgh Institute of Fine Arts and works on the Rage comic book with Michael.

Did You Know?

• In 2007, the character was voted number 3 on the list of the top 25 gay television characters of all time by AfterElton.
• Justin is responsible for naming Gus, the biological son of Brian and Lindsay.
• After his prom, he is bashed by a fellow student, Chris Hobbs, resulting in a two-week coma, and brain damage that limits the use of his hand.
• Justin drops out of college after a disagreement with the head of the internship program when it is discovered that he has been having sexual relations with his boss, Brian, and sabotaging Chief Jim Stockwell's ad campai