Michael Queeler, I know what you are
Mike wheeler is a queer coded character and this is established even in season 1,
Ted saying “see what happens” (implying that something happened to will cause people are saying he’s gay and telling mike not to be gay) he says this directly to mike and he was also surprised to find out about el sleeping In their basement saying “our son with a girl?”
Also his relationship with Will is highlighted as different than with any of his other friends, they understand eachother no one else can.
In season 3 he says to will “it’s not my fault you don’t like girls” and it’s already been established he’s not homophobic as he defended Will from bullies bullying them calling Will gay but they specifically target mike when making these comments about Will,
In the rain fight scene it is raining and emotional which contrasts his breakup with el in the same exact season which was played for laughs if it was supposed to be serious it would have been played off more seriously
The rain fight scene is serious.
when he says “it’s not my fault you don’t like girls” mike is projecting his own internal feelings not that he actually knew Will was gay, when Will leaves during the rain fight he bikes after him in the pouring rain all the way across town to the Byers house and bangs on the door repeatedly apologising and saying he was being an asshole and asking him to open up which he realise then that Will is not there so he goes to find him at castle Byers, this is in stark contrast with the fight he had with el causing her to “dump his ass” he doesn’t apologise straight away or even think to go apologies for lying he only wants to AFTER Lucas tells him he should go get her back it takes him being prompted to even apologise to her whereas with will he didn’t wait a second to tell him he was sorry and to take accountability,
also if mike wasn’t queer at all why did he have such a big flip in his character he was mean to his best friend and lied to hisu gf.
the reason he acts so different to season 1 and 2 mike is that he’s expirencing internalised homophobia and used being with el as his sheid to hide how he’s feelings that’s why he wanted to get her back.
At the end of season 3 while standing in front of wills closet
El tells him that she loves him and kisses him while they’re standing in front of wills closet (closet symbolism) during this kiss his eyes are open implying he’s not returning it
Afterwards he has a look of confusion and realisation on his face.
Instead of being happy that his girlfriend just told him she loves him
He later on stays behind the others with a expression of dread on his face. And he looks back at Wilson’s house implying that that’s who is thinking of because he’s the one leaving and he cares more about leaving than he does about el.
If they wanted it to be vague, they would’ve had him look forward the whole time and said he looks back at the byers house
In season 4 he acts really weird in the airport when he greets will he gives him a weird half hug/ tap which was odd considering when they last left each other they had a proper hug so why is he all of a sudden acting so awkward with his best friend?
He then immediately asked about the painting which he was told by el that well had been painting it for someone he liked and his response is weird always like he’s jealous.
When he meets Argile he looks at the back of mikes shirt and says
it’s a shitty knock off” implying to the viewers that he’s not being his authentic self by the way he’s dressing and acting,
Then at the roller rink Mike is unable to catch on to the fact that el is being bullied until it’s too late
When she is hiding and Mike and we’ll get into an argument at some point Will says “ what about us?” Referring to their friendship, obviously.
Mike doesn’t take it that way in his mind he’s thinking romantically..
But will then says “ aren’t you mad? I didn’t talk to you?”
“Seems like you made it super obvious you don’t care what I have to say”
Mike then follows up with
“ that’s just not true”
“ you called maybe a couple of times, it’s been a year”
(It was like 6 months actually I think)
what’s interesting about this Is that there’s evidence to suggest that Mike was actually trying to call Will but couldn’t because the line was taken up by his mum whose job was working at home but mike never
Will :“Meanwhile El has a book of letters from you”
Mike“Yeah, that’s because she’s my girlfriend will”
Will: “and us?”
Mike: “ we’re friends, we’re friends”
He says their friends twice which I don’t think is him drilling it into Wilson’s head that they’re friends but his own because why else would he act so weird
Will: “ well we used to be best friends”
After this a song plays that’s titled “ in the closet (at rink o mania)
Also at the beginning of season four,
We get to see Mike‘s room
which has nothing from his girlfriend in contrast to el who bas a shrine in her room dedicated to Mike
he has one of wills drawings as well as posters of buff male characters and on his wall a one way sign is Ponting towards his closet.
During the van scene, the word boy is placed above his head a lot
also in season four one of the main shirts he wears is a teal shirt with a pocket that has a sideways triangle (lgbtq symbol) Emma majority of the time
The triangle is almost always pointing towards Will”
His character also has a staring problem. He also stares at Will‘s lips a lot of the time even when it’s not talking.
I think I’ve made enough points here. I think?
Hope that could give you some insight into why I think his character is queer coded
