Henry Loves Fred Dryer!

My first gay crush? Actor Fred Dryer!

When I was around 12, I used to stay up late and read in the family TV room, as I liked the silence. I have a big family, so getting some time just for myself was rare. 

Then one night in 1984, I was bored of reading and I switched on the TV. There was a show called "Hunter" just starting. I was just about to change the channel, 'cuz police shows were not my thing. 

But then, I saw HIM. 

A tall hunk of MAN with broad shoulders, black sunglasses, and tight blue jeans. I had never seen a man with a huge bulge like the one he had!  

Of course, I was sold. 

I watched the show and sat very close to the TV so I wouldn't miss any scenes of his very visible bulge.

As this was "pre Internet searching" all I could do was watch the re-runs at night to get my fill.

And when I went to bed, I would dream that he would stand in front of me, grabbing my arm and placing my hand on his growing bulge...
_______________________________________________

Click here: "Born This Way: Real Stories of Growing Up Gay" book
Inspired by the "Born This Way Blog" - BornThisWayBlog.com

John Loves Vince Van Patten!

My first gay crush was actor Vince Van Patten!

I had a habit of staring at my sister's Bobby Sherman poster, sneaking her Tiger Beat magazines into my room, and being very into Lance Kerwin from TV's "James At 15."

But my first, real, "OMG!" gay crush was at age 9 in 1975, and saw Vince Van Patten on the TV show, "Apple's Way."

He started my infatuations with blond, surfer types. As a skinny kid with boring brown hair, it was a type I wanted, and wanted to be.

In addition to acting, Vince played tennis, and seeing him in those tight, 1970's tennis shorts made me feel all funny inside.

John - Portland, OR
________________________________________________________________________

Click here - "Born This Way: Real Stories of Growing Up Gay" book
Tweet

Mark Loves Brian Oldfield!

I was 11-years old, and my first gay crush
was Olympic shotputter Brian Oldfield.

I hated sports growing up. So when my brother and sister got to go to the Oympic trials in Eugene, OR in 1975, I certainly wasn't jealous.

But then I saw the pictures they brought home. And there was a snap of a massive man, with a mop of blond hair, in tight Levis, walking into the crowd.

I don't know where the pic is now, but I remember Brian Oldfield's quads in those jeans, and his smile into the camera. And I quickly snatched that photo for my private "Pee-Chee" school notebook.

The family seemed concerned about me during those Olympics. Because I, who had never taken any interest in sports whatsoever, was suddenly fascinated by a certain shotputter. Of course, I told everyone how much I just loved Brian Oldfield.

The Catholic strategy of keeping sex at bay with silence completely failed. And no one remembered to tell me that crushing out on 70's, golden-haired brawny Gods was "wrong."


By the time my new obsession appeared in Sports Illustrated in a certain red white and blue singlet, the deed had been done. I was as sure of who I loved as certainly as my brothers were sure of their love of Farrah Fawcett!

Mark - Los Angeles, CA
__________________________________________________________________________________

Inspired by the "Born This Way Blog" - 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
__________________________________________

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