Visible and Invisible
Rickie Vasquez’s eyeliner was enough to make him an object of suspicion in the Chase household. In the first episode of My So-Called Life, Angela Chase described him as bisexual. “How can he be bi-anything?” Angela’s mom asked. “He’s a child. He’s obviously very confused.” In the last episode, Rickie said “I’m gay,” and that made it a fact. He was the first openly gay character in a teen television drama.
Rickie was accused of a lot of things. Accused of being confused. Accused of bringing a gun to school. From the beginning of the show, Rickie hung out in the girls’ bathroom to help Rayanne and Angela with their problems. When he came to school with bruises, people were afraid to ask why. He lived with his Uncle who one day left without telling Rickie where he went. The gay English teacher who was in the closet called him “Enrique” despite being corrected many times.
He took care of Rayanne when she drank too much. Memorized Jordan Catalano’s class schedule, when Jordan never noticed him. Ran interference between Angela and Jordan, Rayanne and Angela, Angela and Brian. When he stayed with Angela’s family, he cleaned up after everyone.
When he danced with Delia in the school gym, everyone cleared the floor. He wore earrings and beautiful patterned shirts.
In the last episode of My So Called Life, before Rickie came out to her, Delia asked Sharon in the girls’ bathroom: “How much do you, like, know about him?” Sharon responded, “Rickie Vasquez? Nothing.”