El Bola ostensibly resides in a "normal" family however this appearance only serves to disguise the physical abuse constantly being meted out to him by his father. He befriends a classmate who takes him home where he gets acceptance, loving and nurturance he lacks. His friends father is gay, mother lesbian and a good friend working the carnival lets the boys in free for a kiss. It is this "abnormal" family which rescues him from his torture. It is this positive portrayal which I found so uplifting.
