Paul Curtis is the gay son of Reverend Jeb Curtis.
History[]
Paul secretly began seeing Richard Antrim after they met a church play. This lasted until Paul's father was informed of the relationship between Paul and Richard by his assistant Trent Labette. The ultra-conservative Jeb sent Paul to a "conversion camp", which only brutalized and traumatized Paul and broke their relationship. Richard was paid to stay away from Paul by Jeb, until he found out Richard was spending the money on drugs. But when Jeb lost his son while he was serving in Iraq, he began to worry his relationship with Paul out of fearing losing another son.
Jeb was suspected when Richard was murdered, badly enough that when the media and his wife Hannah got notice, Hannah shot and injured Jeb in a fit of rage because everyone believed it was Jeb who was gay and in love with Richard. Jeb eventually confessed he was covering for someone, and the detectives realized it was Paul. They questioned him with Paul confessing to the relationship between him and Richard but denying the murder and believing his father did it after revealing the abuse he put Paul through. He was taken to the hospital to confront his father and apologize for being made who he was. However, he was surprised but overjoyed when his father revealed that he came to terms with his sexuality, out of fear losing another son. When Paul started to bring up Richard, his father stopped him and told him not to say anything more that might incriminate him in front of the detectives, causing everyone to see he thought Paul killed Richard. It then became apparent that Jeb was only covering for his son who told his father that he was innocent and realized that his father was as well.
When the detectives inquire on anyone else knowing of the relationship, it was revealed Trent killed Richard, having seen the pair kissing and insisting Jeb intervene to save the church. Trent also framed Jeb, due to believing Jeb was too "weak" on his religious duties.
When Trent was arrested, Jeb shared a reunion with Paul in the hospital, as well as with Hannah, whom he never pressed charges against. (SVU: "Sin")