Aloysius Menlove

## Media

**Aloysius Menlove** is a gay character from *Schmigadoon!*.

## Biography

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Aloysius Menlove introduces himself to the protaganists, Doctor Melissa Gimble and Doctor Josh Skinner, as Schmigadoon's Mayor and as being married to Florence. He states that he is once again running for Mayor unopposed and encourages the pair to stay at The Schmigadoon Inn. He appears in episode two, as Melissa finds him crying in the woods. She herself is tearful after her breakup with Josh. He comforts her and sings Somewhere Love is Waiting For You. This is ostensibly to assure Melissa that she will find love, but is actually a love song about The Mayor's secret passion for the town's Reverend, Howard Layton, a kind, gentle man, who is married to the judgemental town busybody, Mildred. Melissa asks The Mayor directly if he is gay, which he misinterprets as meaning happy. He states that he tries to be and he and Melissa support and comfort each other, before a brief reprise of Somewhere Love is Waiting For You. Later that day, Melissa, resentful that Josh is planning to bid at The Basket Auction, gets drunk and auctions herself as a prize. The Mayor tries to encourage the men to bid on her, until Danny Bailey, the town rapscallion does. The Mayor is not seen in episode three, but Florence sings to Melissa about her love for him, citing his sensitivity and tenderness as both marking him out from other men and as the reasons she is so devoted to him. Despite his lack of interest in her sexually, she seems to know he is different, but not that he is gay. Melissa suggests that she encourage him to open up, and she states that she won't before he is ready. The Mayor appears again in episode four. Reverend Layton is manning the Methodist table at The Schmigadoon Multi-Faith Bake Sale (there is only one other table at this event, run by The Presbyterian Church). Aloysius gazes at him lovingly before deciding to approach. Howard looks pleased to see him and asks what he would like. Aloysius shyly stumbles over his words, asking what Howard would recommend. Howard tells Aloysius which goods have sold well, but that his rhubarb squares haven't. Aloysius excitedly states that he loves rhubarb squares and Howard, surprised, happily states that he does too. Aloyisius is briefly lost for words, before stating that he thought he was the only one, to which Howard coyly responds that they're not for everyone. Aloysius buys two, and to Howard's surprise and delight, offers him one. However Mildred snatches it away, stating that he's on a diet. Howard looks crestfallen, so Aloysius breaks his square in half, offering Howard the other piece. They gaze longingly at each other as they eat, while Mildred looks angrily on. Later, at Doc Lopez Senior's funeral, Aloysius is inspired by Melissa's encouragement and Howard's sermon, to come out of the closet. Howard looks on awkwardly as Aloysius interrupts the funeral to do this, while Mildred is seemingly pleased that she can use this against Aloysius. Florence flees in heartbreak. In episode 5, Aloysius looks on in horror, as Mildred whips the townsfolk up in a frenzy against him, citing his sexuality as perverse, and against Melissa and Josh. She announces she is running for Mayor. In episode 6, Aloysius is greeted coldly by the townsfolk, which devastates him, while Mildred's ethos and campaign are embraced. However, just before the vote, Melissa and Josh reaffirm their love for each other, and the townsfolk's hearts are warmed. They start to confess their secrets and shortcomings, inspired by both The Mayor and the possibility of change and growth Melissa and Josh have introduced. Florence also defends Aloysius passionately to Mildred. Howard becomes increasingly uncomfortable and keen to get the election over with until his and Mildred's daughter Nancy returns proudly to the town with her boyfriend and newborn baby. Howard, emboldened by her bravery, comes out as gay and kisses a euphoric Aloysius, which causes Mildred to have a breakdown. Once she is redeemed, Aloysius and Howard sing and dance with the town as they see Melissa and Josh off. Aloysius shares a last hug with Melissa, before she crosses the bridge with Josh.

## Appearance

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Aloysius is extremely well groomed. He curls his hair and his moustache is immaculately coiffed. He can almost always be seen in a well tailored grey suit, with a light pink tartan pattern and a pink bowtie. He wears a white suit to the election and a black mourning suit to Doc Lopez Senior's funeral. His wears a straw boater in episode 2, a grey top hat in episode one, and holds a white top hat in episode 6.

## Personality

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Aloysius treats Josh and Melissa kindly and bonds with Melissa after comforting her in the woods. His wife Florence refers to him as "soft and sentimental" as well as gentle, tender and expressive. He is only ever shown to be kind and supportive of those around him and is obviously deeply hurt by Mildred's actions and the townsfolk rejecting him. He is clearly a passionate man, also, as he sings with abandon about his crush on Howard, particularly when imagining being embraced in his "strong, tanned arms".

## Sexuality

 This section is in need of major improvement. Please help improve this article by editing it. Melissa starts to suspect that The Mayor might be gay, when he sings Somewhere Love is Waiting For You. The song starts off reassuring Melissa that she will find someone after splitting up with Josh, however The Mayor starts to describe a forbidden love between two men, fantasising about being embraced in his arms and no longer having to hide. She has her suspicions confirmed when his wife sings of the ways in which he differs from other men, citing specifically his apparent lack of interest in other women, or even her. Melissa notices, during this song, that the house is filled with homoerotic sculptures and ornaments. He shares an intensely romantic and flirtatious moment with Reverend Layton in the following episode and later comes out. This is partly at Melissa's encouragement and partly his being inspired by Howard's sermon at Doc Lopez Senior's funeral. However, he comes out during the funeral, interrupting the proceedings, embarrassing Howard and devastating Florence. Mildred uses this against him in her campaign for Mayor, until the townsfolk realise his actions were inspiring. Howard comes out to him and the town, and they kiss.

### Reaction

*This section is about fan reaction to the characters sexuality/gender identity. NOT THE IN UNIVERSE REACTION. In universe reactions would belong under sexuality/gender.*
 This section is in need of major improvement. Please help improve this article by editing it. Though a small fandom, reactions to The Mayor's arc were overwhelmingly positive, with many shipping him and the Reverend early on.

## Relationships

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### Howard Layton

 This section is in need of major improvement. Please help improve this article by editing it. In the second episode of the series, it is revealed that Aloysius is a closeted gay man, after he sings an inadvertently homoerotic song to Melissa about looking for love. In episode four, the subject of the song is revealed to be Mildred's husband, Reverend Howard Layton, who Aloysius is secretly in love with. Howard is quiet and thoughtful, as well as kind and wise. He attempts to help Josh, the way Aloysius attempts to help Melissa. After Howard and Aloysius share a rhubarb square at the bake sale, it is implied that Howard may return his feelings. In episode six, he comes out of the closet and kisses Aloysius.

## Tropes

* Queer Character, Queer Actor - Alan Cumming is bisexual.

## See Also

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## Navigation

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