Chuck Loves Scott Baio!

OK, so it's obvious:
Scott Baio was my first gay crush.

Well, probably not my first. My first crush was Superman when I was 5.

But that's just way too embarrassing to write about.

Scott and I were the same age when he was cast on "Happy Days." And it was love at first sight.

I immediately grew my hair like his. Unfortunately, I didn't have the matching face to go with it...

Anyway, I was such a dork, I even wrote a fan letter to the producers of "Happy Days" telling them how much better the show was with Scott. 

Is there anything more gay than that?

I think my Homo Membership Card arrived in the mail that week. But did Scott ever call to thank me for getting him "Joanie Loves Chachi"? I don't think so. But, as Chachi used to say, "Wa, wa, wa!"

Chuck - New York City, NY
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Inspired by the "Born This Way Blog" - www.BornThisWayBlog.com

Joey Loves Neil Patrick Harris!

My first gay crush was Neil Patrick Harris
as "Doogie Howser, MD."

I was slightly younger than he was during the run of the show, and he was the reason I knew I was gay.

And I remember I refused to watch the episode where he lost his virginity, because he wasn't doing it with me!

LOL!


I got to meet Neil about 10 years ago while bowling with the Broadway Bowling League. He was bowling with the cast of Cabaret in the lane next to me,
and I almost had a panic attack.

Luckily, I had a friend on my team who knew him and he introduced me. And I didn't babble and I didn't fawn all over him. Nope, I played it cool and didn't even mention Doogie Howser, thankfully.

I wanted to say he was the reason I knew I was gay, but this was before he'd come out. So I didn't want to offend him. Now that he's out, I wish he knew!

Joey - New Hampshire
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Inspired by the "Born This Way Blog" - www.BornThisWayBlog.com

Daniel Loves Cat Stevens!

The first gay crush I remember
vividly was singer Cat Stevens.

This was during the 70's, and I was about 12-years old.

I loved looking at his shaggy hair and full beard and moustache.

And bare shoulders!



This photo is from the huge poster that hung on my wall for years. I bought all his albums and listened obsessively. Being a sensitive soul, I loved his music. And I still do.

"I'm being followed by a moon shadow…"

Daniel - Gulfport, FL
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Inspired by the "Born This Way Blog" - www.BornThisWayBlog.com

Neil Loves Johnny Crawford!

I've had more than my share of gay crushes, but my first was Johnny Crawford in "The Rifleman."

This was back in the late 50's when I was around 10-years old.

I've loved him ever since, and always will.

The only time it was embarrassing?

Explaining to my parents why I collected his records into my teens.

Neil - Loveland, OH
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Inspired by the "Born This Way Blog" - www.BornThisWayBlog.com

David Loves Tom Selleck!

I had several male crushes, but Tom Selleck was my first gay crush.

I was 9-years old when "Magnum PI" premiered.

Tom Selleck has a fantastic smile, gorgeous hair, a hairy chest, and great legs. As we have both grown older, he is still gorgeous.

At the time, I did not understand my feelings. But I knew I was enamored with him. Luckily, my big sister also had a major crush on Tom, and my dad liked private investigator shows.

So we all watched "Magnum PI" every week.

As I grew older and came out of the closet,
I realized I was attracted to men with similar physical qualities as Tom Selleck.

The first time I heard about Tom Selleck staring in "In & Out" playing a gay man, I was thrilled. One night a friend came over and we rented the movie.
I literally squealed with delight when Selleck gave Kevin Klein (another cute guy) a kiss on the mouth.


My friend looked at me oddly, but I didn’t care.
It was one of the sexiest kisses I'd ever seen!

David - Fargo, ND
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Inspired by the "Born This Way Blog" - www.BornThisWayBlog.com

Jason Loves Jim Palmer!

My first gay crush was baseball player Jim Palmer.

I was about 8-years old and infatuated with the Jockey underwear ads featuring him.

So much so, I cut the ads out, folded them into discreet squares, and hid them in my Ziggy pencil box.

During the summer vacation, I went to stay with my grandfather in Colorado. While on vacation, I even posed like my dear Jim Palmer for pics to send back to mom.

Of course, this was my own little secret.

At the same time I was posing, at home my mother decided to surprise me by redecorating my bedroom in an "Empire Strikes Back" theme. She pulled out all the stops: Empire wallpaper, sheets, bedspread, and a Star Wars Estes Rocket hanging from the ceiling.

The one change I wasn't so excited about, was a new "Empire Strikes Back" pencil box. The minute I saw that, my heart sank. I though for sure my mother had come across my Jim Palmer in skivvies pic stash, and I would be in trouble for sure.

It's sad to think back at the idea that I would be punished for that. But now at 40, my mother and I have a good laugh about it!

Jason - San Francisco, CA
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Inspired by the "Born This Way Blog" - www.BornThisWayBlog.com

Jennifer Loves Julie Andrews!

My first gay crush was Victor Grezinski of "Victor/Victoria," with Julie Andrews
in the starring role.

It was Christmas 1984, just before my 12th birthday, and my whole family watched this movie together.

I felt completely betrayed when Victor gave up her life in drag to be with a man. And I only wanted to be alone with my feelings.


Afterwards, I was in a sort of daze and obsessed with this person, indeed jealous that others might get to know her as I did. I fantasized about meeting her, and what I'd say to her. Unfortunately, I was 21 before I felt comfortable enough to explain my fascination with her!

Though many others followed, she remains my first crush.

Jennifer - North Carolina
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Inspired by the "Born This Way Blog" - www.BornThisWayBlog.com

Tony Loves Erik Estrada!

My first gay crush was Erik Estrada. I was 8!

And there he was as I watched every week on the "CHiPS" TV show.

Seeing Ponch in tight pants, straddling his motorcycle, was the start of it all for me.

I didn't even know what it all meant at that age, but I know I was transfixed to the show!


Tony - Philadelphia, PA
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Inspired by the "Born This Way Blog" - www.BornThisWayBlog.com

Mike Loves Randy Mantooth!

My first gay crush was Randy Mantooth.

I was 7-years old when I first saw him as
paramedic Johnny Gage on the TV show "Emergency!"

I remember watching this show for the first time, sitting on the floor at my grandparent's house in California. When he appeared on the screen, I was immediately captivated. I'd watch the show anytime
I could, never following the story, just him.

The creepy thing that I realize now, is that he played a paramedic/firefighter - and my dad was a firefighter for 30 years! Does this mean that I should find myself a good therapist?

My grandmother was a huge Liberace fan, and always watched his TV specials. And I remember the chauffeur that drove his Rolls Royce was hot, too. LOL!

Mike - Seattle, WA
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Inspired by the "Born This Way Blog" - www.BornThisWayBlog.com