Is Jughead Gay?

Is Jughead gay? How is it that no one has ever talked about this? I came back to CT for Mother's Day, and as I have no magazines here, my bathroom reading is limited to Archie Comics. As I was reading some of the issues, it dawned on me that Jughead might very well be gay. How is it in all these years there's never been a gay character in Archie-land? Maybe it's much like how there were no black people in New York on Friends until the last couple of seasons... I think it's about time Jughead came out of the closet! Here's why I think he might be gay:

1 - No girlfriend. Never had one, never wanted one. Sure Big Ethel might not be any man's dream, but even when someone like Veronica offers to kiss Jughead for saving a kitten from a deserted island, he says no. Not only that, he gets disgusted at the idea and would prefer a 'big meal' instead. Why would anyone turn down a kiss from Veronica Lodge?

2 - He loves food. Yes, we all love food, but maybe Jughead is replacing his lust for men with food. He knows that he might not be accepted by his gang if he comes out, so he drowns his sorrow in food. Lots and lots of food. Look at how much he enjoys that hot dog... look at all the juice flying off of it. I mean, c'mon! To top it off, he's got his close friend Archie sitting, shirtless I might add, right next to him. He knows Archie is watching him eat... Archie always watches Jughead eat, and Jughead always has something in his mouth when Archie's around... which leads me to my next point.

3 - His 'close' relationship with Archie - Archie and Jughead are best friends. I think Jughead wants more, but he's subtle about it. Instead of trying to ruin Archie's relationships with Veronica and Betty, Jughead thinks he can curry favor by doing whatever he can for Archie. Let's say Archie is supposed to meet Veronica at 1pm at the north end of the park, but also supposed to meet Betty at the same time at the south end of the park? What's he to do? Jughead will run interference for him. What if Archie needs to do a 10 page paper but also has a date with Veronica that same night? Jughead secretly does Archie's homework and doesn't take any credit for it. I think that goes above and beyond the call of a 'friend' don't you?

4 - His dog's name is Hot Dog - I mean, c'mon... I realize Jughead likes food, but just think of the image of a hot dog and tell me that isn't the most phallic thing he could have named his dog.

If you have any reasons why you agree, or disagree, with me, feel free to leave me a comment and let me know. But in this man's opinion, it's only a matter of time before Jughead Jones comes out of the closet. Not that there's anything wrong with that. But he should feel free to be, well, free!