What inspired this story in general and featuring a Deaf gay character in particular? So, it fit that his younger brother was Deaf and has more of a “voice.” I didn’t make Alex and Leo father/son because the love and sacrifice between father and son is a given. It was important to portray and represent the experience of the Deaf community and this character. Alex explains that he came to write music after being picked on for being a “chubby Deaf kid” so his voice can be heard.