Matthew Loves Kerr Smith!

My first gay crush was Kerr Smith as Jack McPhee
on "Dawson's Creek".

It was 1998 and I was 17 years old, and struggling to figure out my own sexual orientation.

Then, "Dawson's Creek" (my favorite TV show) introduced a new character named Jack McPhee.

Initially he was dating Joey Porter (played by Katie Holmes).

But mid-way through that season we learned that Jack was gay. In an intense scene, Jack is forced by a cruel English teacher to read a poem he wrote aloud, and he breaks down crying, because that poem very much described a gay crush.

Eventually, Jack came out to his father and sister and declared to the world that he was gay.

What was unique about Jack, is that unlike other gay teens on TV at the time, he didn't just vanish by the next episode. He continued as a main character on the show, carrying his own storylines. He even dated several guys on the show. We saw Jack fall in love and kiss etc., remaining important to the show.

Something about Kerr Smith was very attractive to me. And his dark hair, chiseled face, and dimples were all I needed to know that I was, indeed, gay.

Matthew - Providence, RI
_______________________________________

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