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.
It could be his friends. In many stories, friends are the ones who come to the rescue. They might have some special knowledge or power that can counter the effects of the Deadlights. Maybe they've been researching about it and find a way to break through the hold it has on Richie.