Andy Loves Val Kilmer!

My first gay crush was Val Kilmer as Batman!

It was 1995, and I was 9 years old at the time.

I had always loved Batman, so when "Batman Forever" came out, of course I HAD to see it. 

From the first time I saw Val Kilmer as Batman,

I was smitten. Oh, those intense eyes, pouty lips, great body and tight little butt! Who could resist someone who was so -- MALE!?

Val was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen! And then there was his voice. The kind of soft, sensual voice that could just make you cream your jeans! WHOO DOGGIE, WHAT A MAN! 

I swoon a little bit now just thinking about it.

There was no doubt in my mind that he was the man of my dreams. That is until I discovered Jonathan Taylor Thomas, but that's a whole other story!

I still have my "Batman Forever" movie poster. 

I would probably still drool over it today! LOL!

Andy, Phoenix Arizona 

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Jude Loves Doctor Who!

My first gay crush was a TV character.

The Doctor is a time travelling alien/physician from the planet Gallifrey, who took human companions on great adventures. When I was around age 11, Doctor Who and the TARDIS materialized into my world, and I became obsessed with him and his magical blue box.

His character has currently been played by 11 actors, with Matt Smith as the latest incarnation. So over time, I fell in love with a character who is more than just one dimensional.

What makes the Doctor wonderful is that he makes you realize you are smart, clever, and brilliant. And my crush came at a time in my young life when I didn't see any role models that I identified with as a young man. 

He took companions in hand and introduced them to everything the universe has to offer - joys, wonders and horrors! And as Craig Ferguson sings: "Intellectualism and romance conquer over brute force and cynicism..."

Jude - Boulder, Colorado

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Justin Loves Austin St. John!

My first gay crush was actor Austin St. John.

I was 6 in 1993 when "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" first aired, and every Saturday morning I would plop down in front of the TV to watch it.

The original leader was the Red Ranger named Jason Lee Scott (played by Austin St. John).

Jason had defined muscles, a deep timbre to his voice, and he was strong and great at martial arts. Although I didn't know it at the time, I would say that he represented a perfect masculinity to me.

Though I didn't have any tangible sexual attraction to men or women, I was drawn to Jason. While all of my male friends talked about how pretty Kimberly the Pink Ranger was, I would just stare at Jason's arms and face while giving non-commital answers to the others.

We would get together in my backyard and pretend to be Power Rangers. I refused to be the Red Ranger and always played Billy (Blue Ranger), because I identified more as a geek. Plus, I couldn't pretend to be the person that I loved; that would have been too weird.

Austin St. John left the series in season two, and my heart broke. And I nearly fell off of the couch when I saw him return in 1996. By that point, I knew for sure that I was different than the other boys in school, but I rationalized my crush as, 'Oh, you just want to grow up to look like him.'

After all of these years, I still occasionally have dreams about being with him. In them, I'm jogging and I get attacked, and Jason comes and saves me in his red uniform. After saving me, he removes the uniform, and well - I'm sure you can imagine the rest...

Justin - Ohio
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Wayne Loves Christopher Reeve!

My first gay crush was Christopher Reeve/Superman.

I was 5-years old, and my uncle took me to see "Superman." I was so psyched because I had a few Superman comic books and finally I was going to see the 'real thing'.

When he finally appeared on screen, saving Lois Lane after she fell out of the helicopter, I was in awe over his smile and big blue eyes.


I had seen some old Superman shows on TV too, but Christopher as Superman was just amazing to me!

Wayne - Kenora, Ontario, Canada
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Hilary Loves Lucy Lawless!

Lucy Lawless as "Xena: Warrior Princess"
was my first gay crush.

Actually, it was Lucy and Renée O'Connor as "Gabrielle" who were my first lesbian crushes.

I was 9, and still absolutely clueless about my own sexuality, but from the time I found the show in 1997, I never missed an episode.

Xena was who I idolized and wanted to be, and Gabrielle was the woman I wanted at my side.

I don't think I ever actually admitted my crush to anyone, and no one ever questioned it. Probably because I also watched shows like "Hercules,""The Adventures of Sinbad," and "Beast Master." But anyone who watched those shows knows they were loaded with more hot babes than any show with female protagonists.

Back then, I thought Xena and Gabrielle were more than friends, but I was so naive that I didn't even know women could be together that way. So they remained best friends in my mind, due to my limited knowledge.

Looking back, I can't help but wonder - even at such a young age - if I was picking up on the lesbian subtext.

Hilary - Saskatchewan, Canada
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Mike Loves Dolph Lundgren!

My first gay crush was Dolph Lundgren as He-Man!!!

I grew up in a very strict Catholic family in the late 1970's. And the word gay or homosexual was never mentioned.

Thus, at the age of 14, I still didn't know what gay was. Or that gay people even existed.

I'd had boy crushes for hotties like Scott Baio and Christopher Atkins, and swooned over them as much as my sister did. But always in secret. Then in 1987, reading a movie magazine, I had my first "serious" gay crush.

I came across the full page ad for "Masters of the Universe" starring Dolph Lundgren. I was absolutely floored by how cute he was with his perfect blond hair and skimpy costume, which revealed his totally hot, buff body. And I just completely melted!

Dolph was standing in front of bright rays of light shining all around him, and to me he seemed like an archangel warrior sent from the heavens! Also, unlike the animated He-Man who wore fuzzy briefs, Dolph wore a sexy leather pouch! If that wasn't enough, across his chest he had thin, snugly-fitting leather straps!

I didn't have a word for it, but I knew right then I was gay! My heart pounded in my chest, and I felt slightly paralyzed, fixated on the picture.

I decided I had to see the movie, never wanted to lose that picture ever, and I couldn't ever let anyone know I had it! So I rationalized that hiding the photo under my mattress would be the best thing to avoid suspicion.

In any case, I can truthfully say it's He-Man's fault that I'm gay! :) And I still think that movie poster picture of Dolph is totally hot!

Mike - Ontario, Canada
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Rachael Loves Starfire!

My first gay crush was both Starfire (voiced by Hynden Walch) and Raven (voiced by Tara Strong) from Cartoon Network's "Teen Titans."

I loved Starfire's naive unfamiliarity with Planet Earth, and Raven's witty, cynical nature. I was very enamored by their fantastic superpowers and, of course, perfect, animated bodies.

I didn't know at the time that what I was experiencing was my first gay crushes(who did?), but the two of them turned out to be the model for the women I like today.

I even tried to make myself a Raven costume, which just ended up being a lot of purple fabric scraps. My mom thought that was the cutest thing ever. But she's still unaware of just how deep my "hero worship" - pun intended - truly went.

Rachael - Kentucky
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Linda Loves Amy Jo Johnson!

My first gay crush was on actress Amy Jo Johnson.
She played Kimberley Hart, aka the Pink Power Ranger.

This was around 1994, when the Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers" were peaking. I think I was more attracted to the pink Spandex costume, actually.


When she left the show in 1995 (a truly soul-crushing moment in my prepubescent life), I was elated to see her in the Disney Channel Original Movie "Susie Q."

As I also fell in love with Olivia Newton-John when I saw "Grease" years later, it makes me think I could have just been attracted to headbands in general, as Amy Jo wore them prevalently in the film.

I kept my crush on her a secret, even though my parents presumably knew about my crush when I asked for the Pink Ranger Barbie doll.

Linda - Columbus, GA
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Christine Loves Lindsay Wagner!

My first gay crush was the gorgeous Lindsay Wagner in "The Bionic Woman."

Oh, baby! It was the 70's, I was in Jr. High, and I was so clueless about what I was actually feeling.

All I knew, is that I HAD to watch her every week. And I was really bummed that I wasn't Steve Austin!

It really was so innocent, in a way. I mean, what I wanted wasn't innocent, but truthfully I didn't really understand what I wanted. Or I just didn't pay much attention to what it all really meant. Duh!

I guess I didn't keep this crush a secret. Because at the time, it didn't seem to signify to me what I now know it really did. But oh man, was she hot!


Christine - Vista, CA
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J. Pierre Loves He-Man!

My first gay crush was He-Man!

It all began with He-Man (defender of the Universe) in about 1988, when I was around age 5.

Odd to think about now, as I have never dated a blonde guy.

But there was something about his boots and furry underwear that screamed out to me:

"Hey, this is HOT!"

My dad bought me most of the He-Man action figures, even though I suspect he suspected it was more than just child's play.

I mean, let's face it: He-Man was not the only one with the bulging muscles. Even the bad guys were ripped!

I included She-Ra in the mix, because as time went on, I wanted to be her and be with him - LOL!

J. Pierre - Cape Town, South Africa
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David Loves Jack Larson!

I was around 7 when I developed my
first gay crush, on TV actor Jack Larson.

I was a big fan of the show "Superman" in the 50's. Superman himself didn't do much for me, but I was totally into Jimmy Olsen, played by Jack Larson.

He and Lois Lane, were always being captured and put into harm's way, always rescued at the last minute by Superman.

I recall a few episodes that for whatever reason, Larson was shirtless. I saw some photos from those episodes many years later, and I still got turned on. He was quite the sexy man.

A shrink could probably have a field day with this, but - I think I wanted Superman to rescue me from my crazy parents? I totally identified being stuck in a dangerous situation. 

But I wasn't sure if I wanted him or wanted to be him. I was, however, delighted to find out years later, that Jack Larson is gay. And, that he had been partnered with Montgomery Clift for some time.

David - Austin, TX
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Dottie Loves Lynda Carter!

I had 3 gay crushes. Is that wrong?

My first gay crush was on
Wonder Woman in the 70's.

Actually, it was for Lynda Carter, who played Diana Prince, aka Wonder Woman.

I loved how she ran around in almost nothing in high heels, using the golden bracelets to protect her from harm.

The way she twirled around and flung the Lasso Of Truth was phenomenal. I wanted to take a ride with her in that invisible airplane.

My second gay crush was in 1988, during the time I was working on my masters degree. I needed a break, so a friend and I went to see "DOA" with Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan. During the movie, I thought a lot about her. She was so pretty and cute, and I sought out other movies she starred in.

My third gay crush was Geena Davis' character in "The Long Kiss Goodnight." I loved the way she kicked ass in that movie.

Dottie - Redmond, WA
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Luke Loves Cloud Strife!

My first gay crush was Cloud Strife.

Being the nerd I was at age 11, I crushed out on this tortured soul from "Final Fantasy 7."

I felt that way too, so he was pretty awesome.

And I was not.

He was an all-around, broody action guy who fell in love, lost it, but never stopped fighting.

And his hair was pretty damn awesome and sexy.

Of course, he wasn't full-on physically attractive until he was rendered in full CGI glory in "Advent Children" and given a smoldering voice.

I was too young to really play the game, so I would just sit on the floor of my brother's room, and watch him play "Final Fantasy 7" for hours.

Luke - Victoria, Australia
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Chris Loves Atreyu!

My first gay crush was Noah Hathaway,
as Atreyu in "The Neverending Story."

I was about 10 when it came out, and I loved that movie to death.

As one of those lonely kid readers, I could completely identify with Bastian and his wish to be someone like Atreyu.

It would be another 9 years before I really figured out I was gay.

But I watched that movie over and over. I even tried to grow my hair to look like him (bad idea) and imagined all kinds of adventures with him.


I don't think I ever told anyone about this crush, because I didn't really understand it back then. 

To this day, though, I still use the Auryn image from the movie as my avatar everywhere on the web. And I still have very fond memories of the movie.

Chris - Osaka, Japan
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Jerome Loves Lee Majors!

Lee Majors was my first gay crush!

While Sebastian Cabot as Mr. French, and Patrick Duffy as "The Man From Atlantis" sparked some interest, the sustaining crush fire happened when I first saw Lee Majors in his bionic, superhuman state. With all that running in slow-mo, his open shirt and chest hair revealed, accompanied by cool sound effects.

I was a bit suppressed by a religious upbringing, and didn't know I was gay until I was 34. But looking back, I know he lit that fire. I bought his lunchbox, and started calling myself Steve "Ostin" on my assignments in 2nd grade. 

I was 7-years old.

Maybe it was innocent, as I was so young. But watching Lee Majors in that role for several years, influenced the kind of man that I would come to admire and love:

Heroic, selfless, strong. And, hairy.

Then, while I was still impressionable, he became "The Fall Guy," the life of a Hollywood stuntman.

And he just got hunkier. 

That hairy chest, devil-may-care attitude, and all rough 'n tumble with a cigar.



The show wasn't that well-written, but I suddenly didn't care about the plot.

I may not have known that I was gay, but I knew that I wanted him to be my best friend. And he's become the model for probably all the other men I've ever been interested in.

Jerome - Whitehorse, Yukon Territory
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Winter Loves Esteban!

My first ever gay crush was Esteban, from the
80's cartoon "The Mysterious Cities of Gold."

I was around 8-years old when I first saw the show, and I was incredibly drawn to his character.

Even then, I felt different from my peers. And the way he gathers other outcasts to join him on his travels, was my first glimpse into building a family of choice.

There was a scene where he bathes naked in a river, and I have a vague memory of my mom scolding me for getting too close to the TV screen, as I stared in rapt fascination. I found out years later that she told my grandmother she suspected I might be gay.

I'm sure that I mentioned to a few people that I "really liked" Esteban. I don't know if I was obvious about it being a crush, though. I guess I wouldn't have made any effort to hide it, because I didn't realize that most boys didn't crush on other boys. That realization came when I was older.

Winter - Raymond, NH
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Kathy Loves Lindsay Wagner!

It was 1976, I was 11, and my first gay crush
was Lindsay Wagner, as TV's "The Bionic Woman"

I watched "The Six Million Dollar Man," and loved that a female bionic character was introduced. 

And then she got her own show!

I was in my 20's when I FINALLY figured it out that I was gay.

And realized why I was so transfixed by Lindsay Wagner so long ago. I had a mad crush on that hot woman!

Jaime Sommers was athletic, independent, and smart.
She had speedy legs and a tennis-ball-crushing arm.
But she also had confidence and a wonderful gentleness, all wrapped up in that unpretentious, naturally beautiful face and body.


She was undeniably sexy, but didn't need to act frilly or bat her eyelashes. She was a bit of a tomboy like me, and I wanted to be like her. I even wished she could be my 6th grade school teacher.

I didn't understand my feelings back then, but even in my naive pre-pubescence, I knew my fascination with her went beyond that of my friends who also watched the show. Now I understand.

I've had more gay crushes over the years: Kate Jackson in "Charlie's Angels," Kristy McNichol in "Family," Kelly McGillis in "Top Gun," and the ubiquitous gay girl crush on Nancy McKeon in "The Facts of Life."
But it's true: we never forget our first crush.

Thinking of Lindsay still makes me smile today.
We should get together to discuss our Sleep Numbers... ;)

Kathy - Portland, OR
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Brian Loves Burt Ward!

My first gay crush was Burt Ward.

Twice a week for 2 1/2 years, I was in front of the TV waiting to see Robin, the Boy Wonder. When the neighborhood kids and I played Batman & Robin, I always played the villain.

Why? So I could find different ways to tie up Robin!

Those tights with a hint of bulge was the beginning of my wet dreams. Looks like Burt had some too?

So I guess that was also the start of my little rope/handcuff fetish.

And here's Burt Ward's official website with lots of great info, photos, and merchandise.

Alas, I couldn't find any used tights...

Brian - San Angelo, TX
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