Debbie is Michael's mother and they have a very close and loving relationship. Most of the time she is more proud of him being gay than he is. We learn in the second season that even though Debbie has always told Michael that his father was a vietnam war hero who died right after Michael's birth, it was really Davina Divine, Pittsburgh's own Drag Queen, who Debbie dated right after high school. This obviously points to homosexuality being genetic, considering that her brother is gay, her son's biological father is gay, and now her son is gay as well.She is practically a second mother to Justin, especially when his father kicks him out and she takes him in and helps him get a job. She also houses him almost everytime he has a fight with Brian.Debbie has spent nearly her entire life taking care of others: First her son until he was old enough to move out and make a life for himself, then her brother Vic, who is HIV Positive and who we also learn almost died within a year before the first season began from his AIDS.Starting in the second season, she starts to finally take care of herself, going out with Detective Horvath, whom she once helped solve the mystery of a gay murder victim's identity. She is by far the most vivacious and yet sage member of the show and a key player in all of the other character's lives.