Trustworthy, sweet, and cute beyond belief, Michael is everybody's best friend, and the perpetual Boy Wonder to Brian Kinney's Super (Anti) Hero. This raven-haired stud with the supersonic smile was also voted "Guy most likely to live happily ever after" - that is if he can just get over Brian...and come out of the closet completely.
Michael's role as friend to all and long history with some always keep things interesting. Even with mom.
Debbie, as a single mother, raised Michael the best way she knew how. She certainly loved and accepted her son, even knowing he was queer from a very early age. Michael's biggest problem with his mom is her habit of getting too involved in his life a little too much...especially his love life. Like when she first met Dr. Dave and insisted he come over to her house for dinner. But despite his irritation with his mother, Michael will always be there for her, and often wishes he could do more for her. Like when Michael found out Debbie passed out from working double shifts and started helping her out financially. She always struggled for him, now it was time he struggled a bit for her. However, there are still times when his mother's crassness embarrasses him, especially when he got a taste of the high life with David. When Michael and David hosted a benefit for a local politician, he purposely neglected to invite Debbie. But when Debbie showed up anyway, along with Michael's other friends dressed in outrageous costumes, Michael quickly learned his lesson - especially since the Senator adored Debbie as much as anyone. Ultimately, Michael wouldn't trade his mother for anything, and when he has to decide whether to move to Portland and leave her, it's one of the harder aspects of the decision.
Michael met Brian when they were both 14 years old, and it was love at first sight. Although the two friends have always had an unspoken attraction to each other, they never have had sex...except, of course, for that one unfinished, pseudo-sexual encounter when they were 14. It involved a celebrity beefcake photo, and Debbie walking in on them just a little too soon. However, there were also those other intense incidents where they came close to sex...like on the roof of the hospital or on the Pennsylvania turnpike where their platonic kisses turned more romantic than either expected. But somehow they just can't seem to hook it up. The real hard part is Michael can't seem to break away from Brian to have a relationship with anyone else. When Michael first tried to date Dr. Dave, Brian always seemed to get in the way. Like when Brian totally screwed up Dr. Dave's big country trip with Michael or the times Brian calls just as they were getting intimate. But Michael's worst "Brian moment" had to be when Brian threw him a big surprise 30th birthday party...and then proceeded to destroy it by totally humiliating Michael and Dr. Dave and then outing Michael to Tracy. Michael was livid, and cut off all communication with Brian. What he didn't know was that Brian had destroyed Michael's birthday party purposefully. It was the only way he could force Michael to get over him...a necessary task Debbie had suggested. The silence between Michael and Brian was painful for everyone. But soon - thanks to Justin's intervention - they were back in the saddle of their friendship. The next challenge came when Michael had to decide whether to move away from Pittsburgh. Could he really leave Brian forever? One thing is certain: no matter what happens they will always be there for each other.
Michael has always felt especially close to Ted, the most sensible of all his friends. Ted, in turn, has always cared about Michael deeply...perhaps a little too deeply. This became especially apparent when Ted was in a coma and Michael saw a shrine to himself in Ted's bedroom closet. Michael was shocked that Ted cared so much about him. But Michael and Ted got past the unrequited-love-thing and managed to remain close friends. Although when Ted started dating Blake again, Michael, like everyone, had problems accepting him. After all, Blake was the one who almost killed Ted by giving him GHB. But after Ted asked Michael to be open-minded about Blake -- and after Blake helped find bail for Michael's Uncle Vic -- Michael offered Blake his friendship.
Michael and Emmett have been friends for a number of years...he's part of the core group of friends in Michael's life. Whether working-out or queening-out, Emmett is a bright spot in Michael's life. When a drag queen burned down Emmett's apartment, he moved in with Michael temporarily...for two years. He became one of Michael's wisest advisors and is not shy at offering his opinions on Michael's relationships...especially when it comes to his relationships with Brian and Doctor Dave. In fact Michael, for his first date with the ritzy doc, turned to Emmett for lessons on how to eat at a fancy restaurant. Later, when Michael decided to move to Portland, Emmett nearly broke down - well maybe a little more than "nearly," but he was still able to throw Michael a fabulous lumberjack theme party.
Michael liked Tracy from the start. She was a sweet, hard-working fellow employee. And Tracy liked Michael...a lot. However, being in the closet, Michael couldn't tell her he was queer. He even let himself be dragged on a "get acquainted" date with Tracy, Marley and some other co-workers from the Big Q. Michael knew he should tell Tracy he was queer, but he feared for his job. Moreover, when a big promotion to Store Manager was impending, it helped to have Tracy play the part of his girlfriend. However, Brian soon fixed everything when he invited Tracy to Michael's birthday party without telling anyone. Tracy was able to accept Michael being queer, but she couldn't accept the fact that he lied to her. For a moment Tracy even quit the Big Q to get away from Michael, but you never know...she might return one day.
Michael met Dr. Dave while lying on his stomach...on the chiropractor's table. At first Michael didn't know if Dr. Dave was queer or straight, but it didn't take long under the hunky Doc's strong hands for Michael to show the Doc he was a "club member." Soon the Doc showed up at Michael's job...and the romance began. However, the relationship had trouble from the start. Where Michael was too immature, the Doc was too controlling. And then there was the age difference, the economic difference, and the career difference. But probably the biggest obstacle was not about difference: it was about Brian. No matter what, Michael seemed to always put his friendship before his romance. But despite all the obstacles, the Doc persevered. For a moment it seemed it would work - Michael even managed to bond with the Doc's son, Hank. However, the ultimate test came when the Doc asked Michael to leave Pittsburgh and move with him to Portland, Oregon. Michael would need to leave all that he loved, his mother, his friends...and, of course, Brian. Could he do it?
Ben
Michael thought he could handle Ben's HIV status. He certainly felt great when he was with Ben. He might even describe him as the most incredible man he ever met. But then Michael saw the medicine closet full of Ben's HIV medications and he suddenly felt afraid...felt like he couldn't deal with the fear...the fear of HIV, the fear of losing Ben. He told Ben he couldn't continue dating him. It was over, and Michael was alone again.
Michael misses Ben...a lot. He thinks he sees him everywhere, hoping to catch a
glimpse...maybe talking to him, asking him for another chance. Is that what he
wants? Then he finally sees Ben...but Ben is with someone else. Michael,
crushed, goes home alone.
Michael and Ben decided to tie the knot...by getting into a little bondage, that
is! Michael liked it...a lot! What he didn't like was the fact that Ben had done
this before...with Brian. As with anything else concerning Brian, Michael became
obsessed with this fact. Was it just because his best friend and his boyfriend
had "done it" before? Nah, that would make too much sense. Ben figured
it out...Michael was really upset because Brian's never had sex with him.
Michael admits to Ben that he has loved Brian for a long time. Is Ben pissed off
or jealous? Nope. They both have a past...and that's just fine.
When Michael throws Ben - his knight in shining armor — a surprise party, the
armor suddenly cracks. Ben, having just discovered his t-cells had fallen, blows
up at Michael for throwing the party. Michael, not knowing about Ben's
discovery, feels crushed...until Ben explains. Then Michael can only love Ben
more...for being human.
Michael feels incredibly frightened when Ben has a
n adverse reaction to his HIV meds and is hospitalized. Ben's getting sick is Michael's greatest fear.
Michael decides to let Ben go to Tibet, because Michael knows that going will
make Ben happy...even though it would be painful to lose him. But Michael feels
extremely happy that Ben chooses to stay. What's in store for them now?
When Michael discovered that drag queen Divina Devore might be his father, his
first reaction was shock. After all, Debbie had told Michael that his father was
dead, and also...well...the guy was a drag queen! But when the emotional dust
settled Michael, out of respect to his mother, went along with the story of
having the war hero father.
At first Michael doesn't like the homophobic cop. He hates that his mother is
dating him, but after Michael spends a stint in jail and actually listens to
Horvath... Michael realizes that the guy isn't so bad after all.
After an enhanced night of creativity at Babylon, Michael realizes that he and
Justin can create a new gay super hero...after a bit of persuading Justin
agrees! While he had been jealous of Justin, Michael now truly cares about him
and he understands their mutual love for Brian. For the first time Brian isn't
the only thing that brings them together...although in way he still is...since
he's the inspiration for "Rage," their new comic book hero. Now if
Brian's jealousy doesn't screw it up, Michael and Justin might become great
friends and build a gay comic book dynasty.
Michael, having seen Justin kissing Ethan, feels tremendous anger toward Justin.
Michael hates how he's betraying Brian.
MICHAEL NOVOTNY: "Why am I always Lois Lane?"
Sweet, adorable, coal-eyed, with a mega-watt smile that could light up the world. Michael is the guy your mom would want you to bring home -- that is, if she's was okay with you being queer. The caregiver of his group, he's sturdy but with an innocence and optimism that won't quit. He's the marrying kind...if he'd take his mind off Brian. Brian was Michael's first...first best friend, first person he told about being gay, first (unfinished) sex partner, and the first person to break his heart. But Brian is always there for Michael...and Michael will always be there for Brian.
HOW MICHAEL DESCRIBES HIMSELF: Semi-cute.
HOW OTHERS MIGHT DESCRIBE MICHAEL: The hottie-who-doesn't-know-it.
BEST FRIENDS: Brian, Ted, Emmett
BOOK OR MAGAZINE HE COULDN'T LIVE WITHOUT ON A DESERT ISLAND: His collection of Captain Astro comic books.
FAVORITE JUNK FOOD: Lemon Bars from the Liberty Diner and Cap'n Crunch.
FAVORITE PASTIME: Buying vintage comic books on E-Bay.
GUILTY PLEASURE: Power Puff Girls.
FAVORITE THING TO WEAR: A snug two-tone or black T-shirt with jeans and sneakers.
EARLIEST AMBITION: To become Captain Astro's official boy wonder, Galaxy Lad.
FAVORITE MOVIES: Currently X-Men...but loved The Sixth Sense and most of the Star Wars series. Also loved Lady and the Tramp...but don't tell anyone.
HABITS OF OTHER PEOPLE THAT IRRITATE MICHAEL: Hates it when people at work ask him about who he's dating. Hates it when Brian blows him off because of a trick. Hates it when people try to control him. Hates it when people treat him like a kid. Hates it when his Mom is overly supportive about his sex life.
SEVEN FAVORITE JEOPARDY CATAGORIES: Superheroes, Collectible Comics, Patrick Swayze Movies, Video Games, Action Figures, Hits of the 80s, Serials/Cereals.
THE ONE ITEM THAT'S ALWAYS IN HIS REFRIGERATOR: A pre-cooked meal his mother dropped off...and lemon bars.
WHEN MICHAEL MET BRIAN: The summer of 1985. They were 14. Brian was the tough kid, nobody wanted their kids to play with. Michael was the nice kid everybody wanted their kids to play with. The attraction was immediate...after all both boys understood why The Green Hornet was cooler than Spiderman. They also knew why the X-Men were the coolest. And then there was that particular Patrick Swayze photo in People Magazine...the one from "Dirty Dancing." "Did you just say you thought Patrick Swayze was hot?" might have been the intro to one of the most famous, unfinished, sex scenes in the history of adolescent love --- unfinished being the operative word, thanks to Michael's mother surprising them. Although they never actually consummated their love, they've still been dedicated to each other ever since. But the question remains...will they ever get to finish what started when they were 14?