My first gay crush was actor Omri Katz!
I was age 12 when he starred in the very strange and short lived TV show "Eerie, Indiana" in 1991-1992.
I instantly fell in love with Omri's sullen looks and floppy hair that was always falling in his eyes, just like mine! His character was supposed to be around
14 or 15 which made me like him even more, as I was always attracted to boys a little older than me.
14 or 15 which made me like him even more, as I was always attracted to boys a little older than me.
I swallowed my pride and bought a Tiger Beat magazine that had a feature on Omri. I knew it was for girls but I didn't care: I wanted to have his pictures!
On the way home I ran into a friend who wanted to see what I bought at the store. He took the bag away from me and laughed so hard I thought he would pee himself! So, I lied and said I bought it for my sister.
In the magazine I found an address to send away for an autographed picture of Omri. And I ended up writing him a gushy three-page letter, pouring out all my young boy emotions and how I really liked him a lot. And how I loved how he always looked half sad and how nobody really understood me or really liked me.
Six months later, the show was off the air and I was heart broken. But one day, almost a year after I had written to him, I received a big manilla envelope.
Inside was his photo, but not a usual head shot.
It was a picture of him on his bike, looking sad.
It was a picture of him on his bike, looking sad.
And he signed it:
"Eric, I really liked your letter and I understand.
I feel like that sometimes too. Hang in there!
Love, Omri."
I was beyond thrilled!
He actually read my letter and used the word love!
"Eric, I really liked your letter and I understand.
I feel like that sometimes too. Hang in there!
Love, Omri."
I was beyond thrilled!
He actually read my letter and used the word love!
I proudly put the picture on the wall of my bedroom and it stayed there until I graduated from high school. My sister teased me about it for years, but I didn't care. That picture stayed on my wall!
My mom and dad never said a word about it.
But I'm sure they understood what it meant to me.
Thanks again for your wonderful web site.
Eric,
Pensacola, Florida
Click here - "Born This Way: Real Stories of Growing Up Gay" book
Click here - "Born This Way Blog""
