Is Jon Connington Gay?

[thecryptile]

Is Jon Connington Gay? Was he in love with Rhaegar? If so, was this why he became Young Griff's Guardian? I'm not saying that Rhaegar and Jon Connington were lovers, just that if Jon Con was gay and in love with Rhaegar, guarding his son (or "son" for Blackfyre theorists) was his way of expressing the love he felt for his dead friend. The quotes from FAQ and SSM are more than a little vague on this topic. If true, it introduces a new element to Connington's character.

As to A Dance with Dragons, that novel introduces us to Jon Connington. Some readers began to suspect that his attachment to Rhaegar was more than simply admiration and friendship, and something more. This was confirmed by Martin at a signing, when he confirmed that he was homosexual.

http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/FAQ/Entry/Who_is_not_straight

Q: Is a certain POV character in ADWD gay?

A: "I can't answer without spoiling, but if you're talking about what I think you're talking about, then yes." George mentioned that there are gay characters in ASOIAF. He mentioned Loras & Renly, saying that he included "what I thought were subtle but clear hints. HBO was not subtle about it."

http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/5457/ What do you think?

[GallowsKnight]

Is this a trick question? I thought it was pretty obvious. Especially when he talks about Myles Torne's smile.

[Downright Daario]

I have found it a little bit strange that when ever JonCon thinks about him it always returns to his looks, which is kinda weird for guys who were just bros.

Personally, I think that JonCon had a huge crush on Rhaegar but it was not mutual and his Guardianship of Aegon is his attempt to redeem himself for failing Rhaegar, mind you, his failure to capture and kill Robert ended up killing Rhaegar, his wife and his children.

[Heir to His House]

Yeah this wasn't as semi-ambiguous as Renly & Loras. This was very clear from JonCon's POV that he was gay, I thought.

[Downright Daario]

OMG...I think the real question is, did Jon Connington molest Aegon?

Holy shit, that would pretty fucked up.

[Florina Laufeyson]

Short Answer:

Was JonCon Gay? Yes.

Were he and Rhaegar lovers? No.

Was JonCon digging on the Rhae-man? Yes.

Did he protect "Aegon" in order to show loyalty and love for the Rhae-man? Yes.

Did JonCon try any funny business with "Aegon"? No.

/thread.

[thewingedwolf]

Short Answer:

Was JonCon Gay? Yes.

Were he and Rhaegar lovers? No.

Was JonCon digging on the Rhae-man? Yes.

Did he protect "Aegon" in order to show loyalty and love for the Rhae-man? Yes.

Did JonCon try any funny business with "Aegon"? No.

/thread.

Agreed.

[Ser Creighton]

Who knows maybe Rhaegar was a little like Oberyn Martell the dragon that flew both ways.

[Ser Creighton]

Short Answer:

Was JonCon Gay? Yes.

Were he and Rhaegar lovers? No.

Was JonCon digging on the Rhae-man? Yes.

Did he protect "Aegon" in order to show loyalty and love for the Rhae-man? Yes.

Did JonCon try any funny business with "Aegon"? No.

/thread.

Well it's good you have confirmed this with Martin.

[Kernest]

Given how superior in every aspect Rhaegar is made to look, I wouldn't find it surprising that any less than 100% straight man would fancy him... Though there are some rather clear hints, it doesn't mean that JonCon would want to be with any man other than Rhaegar, much like Loras' "when the sun has set..." line.

[Lion of Judah]

People overlook just how badass JonCon really is, but to answer the question; yes he's gay.

[butterbumps!]

Well it's good you have confirmed this with Martin.

Why would she have needed to confirm this with Martin? I assume she was able to answer by having read the books:

Is Jon C gay? And was he sweet for Rhaegar? YES

The bells tolled for all of us that day. For Aerys and his queen, for Elia of Dorne and her little daughter, for every true man and honest woman in the Seven Kingdoms. And for my silver prince.

As he climbed he remembered past ascents—a hundred with his lord father, who liked to stand and look out over woods and crags and sea and know that all he saw belonged to House Connington, and one (only one!) with Rhaegar Targaryen. Prince Rhaegar was returning from Dorne, and he and his escort had lingered here a fortnight. He was so young then, and I was younger. Boys, the both of us. At the welcoming feast, the prince had taken up his silver-stringed harp and played for them. A song of love and doom, Jon Connington recalled, and every woman in the hall was weeping when he put down the harp. Not the men, of course......“Your father’s lands are beautiful,” Prince Rhaegar had said, standing right where Jon was standing now. And the boy he’d been had replied, “One day they will all be mine.” As if that could impress a prince who was heir to the entire realm, from the Arbor to the Wall.

A bride for our bright prince. Jon Connington remembered Prince Rhaegar’s wedding all too well. Elia was never worthy of him. She was frail and sickly from the first, and childbirth only left her weaker. After the birth of Princess Rhaenys, her mother had been bedridden for half a year, and Prince Aegon’s birth had almost been the death of her. She would bear no more children, the maesters told Prince Rhaegar afterward.

“Your father’s lands are beautiful,” he said. His silvery hair was blowing in the wind, and his eyes were a deep purple, darker than this boy’s.

Is Jon C helping with Aegon out of a sense of failed duty for his silver Prince? YES

No amount of prayer would put him on the Iron Throne, however. That was Griff’s task. He had failed Prince Rhaegar once. He would not fail his son, not whilst life remained in his body.

Death, he knew, but slow. I still have time. A year. Two years. Five. Some stone men live for ten. Time enough to cross the sea, to see Griffin’s Roost again. To end the Usurper’s line for good and all, and put Rhaegar’s son upon the Iron Throne. Then Lord Jon Connington could die content.

Jon Connington had known that, and he had also known that Robert’s head upon a spear would have put an end to the rebellion, then and there. He was young and full of pride. How not? King Aerys had named him Hand and given him an army, and he meant to prove himself worthy of that trust, of Rhaegar’s love. He would slay the rebel lord himself and carve a place out for himself in all the histories of the Seven Kingdoms.

So Robert escaped me and cut down Rhaegar on the Trident. “I failed the father,” he said, “but I will not fail the son.”

Also, this

[DornishPrincess]

I didn't even think it was a question at this point: if JonCon was in love with Rhaegar. It was much more obvious than Loras and Renly's relationship, to me anyway.

I think the real mystery is (f?)Aegon; Connington must believe he's the real deal, right? Why would he go to such lengths for an imposter? It hardly honors the memory of the man he loved by passing an imposter off as his son.

[thecryptile]

I think the real mystery is (f?)Aegon; Connington must believe he's the real deal, right? Why would he go to such lengths for an imposter? It hardly honors the memory of the man he loved by passing an imposter off as his son.

Yes, if there is a Blackfyre conspiracy there is no way Jon Connington knows about it. He must believe that Aegon is the son of Rhaegar.

[Black Wolf Smith]

I am sorry I don't see the point of asking a question, when you are ready have the part of GRRM confirming it. The only real question is if JonCon nambla YG, and that is iffy, with no true answer thus far in the series.

[Winter's Knight]

Why would we assume that Jon molested YG? Is there evidence in his PoV? In YG's behavior? In Tyrion's Sherlock Scan? No? Then could we not respout the tired "homosexuals=pedophiles" please?

[Fire Eater]

Myles had been possessed of jug ears, a crooked jaw, and the biggest nose that Jon Connington had ever seen. When he smiled at you, though, none of that mattered

Compare that to Jon's description of Ygritte: When she grinned, the crooked teeth didn't seem to matter.

[JonNonRegis]

Why would she have needed to confirm this with Martin? I assume she was able to answer by having read the books

Nowhere in the books does it state Rhaegar and Connington were or were not lovers.

The line "He meant to prove himself worthy of Rhaegar's love" could be interpreted to mean that he had Rhaegar's love but doubted whether he deserved it... or, alternately, that he didn't have it, and meant to earn it.

Actually, come to think of it, Rhaegar's love affairs -- of any sort -- seem very few and far between. Not exactly Robert Baratheon or Aegon the Unworthy, it would seem. More Baelor the Blessed, this guy.

[MasterJack]

Rhaegar once decided to switch from a booky boy to a fighter for the prophecy, it wouldnt be surprising if he did the same sad switch to get his 3" heads of the dragon" heirs :D. Lyanna + Elia --> duty JonCon--> real love

[mrunderhill]

Why would she have needed to confirm this with Martin? I assume she was able to answer by having read the books:

Is Jon C gay? And was he sweet for Rhaegar? YES

The bells tolled for all of us that day. For Aerys and his queen, for Elia of Dorne and her little daughter, for every true man and honest woman in the Seven Kingdoms. And for my silver prince.

As he climbed he remembered past ascents—a hundred with his lord father, who liked to stand and look out over woods and crags and sea and know that all he saw belonged to House Connington, and one (only one!) with Rhaegar Targaryen. Prince Rhaegar was returning from Dorne, and he and his escort had lingered here a fortnight. He was so young then, and I was younger. Boys, the both of us. At the welcoming feast, the prince had taken up his silver-stringed harp and played for them. A song of love and doom, Jon Connington recalled, and every woman in the hall was weeping when he put down the harp. Not the men, of course......“Your father’s lands are beautiful,” Prince Rhaegar had said, standing right where Jon was standing now. And the boy he’d been had replied, “One day they will all be mine.” As if that could impress a prince who was heir to the entire realm, from the Arbor to the Wall.

A bride for our bright prince. Jon Connington remembered Prince Rhaegar’s wedding all too well. Elia was never worthy of him. She was frail and sickly from the first, and childbirth only left her weaker. After the birth of Princess Rhaenys, her mother had been bedridden for half a year, and Prince Aegon’s birth had almost been the death of her. She would bear no more children, the maesters told Prince Rhaegar afterward.

“Your father’s lands are beautiful,” he said. His silvery hair was blowing in the wind, and his eyes were a deep purple, darker than this boy’s.

Is Jon C helping with Aegon out of a sense of failed duty for his silver Prince? YES

No amount of prayer would put him on the Iron Throne, however. That was Griff’s task. He had failed Prince Rhaegar once. He would not fail his son, not whilst life remained in his body.

Death, he knew, but slow. I still have time. A year. Two years. Five. Some stone men live for ten. Time enough to cross the sea, to see Griffin’s Roost again. To end the Usurper’s line for good and all, and put Rhaegar’s son upon the Iron Throne. Then Lord Jon Connington could die content.

Jon Connington had known that, and he had also known that Robert’s head upon a spear would have put an end to the rebellion, then and there. He was young and full of pride. How not? King Aerys had named him Hand and given him an army, and he meant to prove himself worthy of that trust, of Rhaegar’s love. He would slay the rebel lord himself and carve a place out for himself in all the histories of the Seven Kingdoms.

So Robert escaped me and cut down Rhaegar on the Trident. “I failed the father,” he said, “but I will not fail the son.”

Also, this

Meh, that is just the way, the average man talks about Daemon Blackfyre. Seriously Martin pretty much confirmed he was gay.