Loras & Renly

[backyard_rob]

I've been reading the discussions on this forum, and many of the points raised have completely altered my view of the books. However, I was particularly thrown by the matter of Loras & Renly's relationship.

Is it actually explicitly stated in the text that Loras and Renly had a homosexual relationship, or is it just suggested? I have re-read the books, and I understand the suggestion that they are gay, but I did not notice it being explicitly stated. However, I did miss a lot of things that have been posted on the forums...

Thanks in advance

[Boaz]

If this double posts... I apologize.

Off the top of my head....

Stannis doubts Renly could actually father a child.

Renly, despite being the most eligible bachelor in Westeros, has no bastards, no female lovers, nor any inclination to marry.

Jaime threatens Loras with sticking his sword some place that even Renly never found. (My personal favorite allusion to their relationship.)

Cersei freaks when Tommen starts idolizing Loras.

[Culhwch]

It's not actually flat-out stated as fact, merely strongly alluded to. As Boaz has pointed out.

[Ender]

Out of context imo...
I doubt a Baratheon could be gay.

[Culhwch]

Would a Baratheon pass up a blushing virgin bride if he wasn't batting for the other team?

[Jinglehopper]

Martin says they are gay. http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/SSM03g.html

excerpt:

And speaking of Renly and Loras...
George specifically stated "Yes, I did intend those characters to be gay." Not that we didn't already know that of course, but I don't believe it's ever been actually confirmed before.
All of this information came from a GOH reception party, which was specifically open to people who registered early and paid to be a "premium" member, so it was a really small gathering and a really great experience just to sit and listen to George talk for about two and a half hours straight. And he knows me! This amuses me to no end.
So yeah, in short, book not done but soon, lots of Dany, the Ironborn, and the Dornish, and Renly and Loras were INDEED knocking boots.

[Boaz]

Thanks for the link, Jinglehopper.

For those of you who did not follow the link... the use of the Rainbow Guard for Renly is mentioned. It seems Martin had already used Black for the Night's Watch and White for the Kingsguard, so he used the idea of a multi-colored fellowship which, coincidentally, were associated with a gay king. I'd always assumed it was intentional, it appears it was not.