I'm not sure specifically which 'Stan Kirsch top stories' you are referring to. Stan Kirsch was an actor. Maybe his top stories could be related to his most memorable acting roles, like in 'Highlander: The Series'.
Charlie Freeman is the central character in the novel. But without reading it, we can't say much more about his specific traits. He could be an ordinary person with an extraordinary story or someone with unique qualities.
Yes, in the 'It' novel, Richie was gay. Stephen King included this aspect of his character which added depth to Richie's personality and his experiences in the story.
Richie wasn't gay in the novel 'It'. The author didn't present his character in that way. The plot centered around other elements rather than Richie's sexuality.
Whether Richie is gay in the novel isn't always straightforward. It could be left ambiguous for the reader to interpret or could be revealed gradually as the story progresses.