Michael Loves Shaun Cassidy!

When I was 7, I discovered my first gay crush:
His name was Shaun Cassidy.

He was a "Tiger Beat" heart throb, who was also a pretty good singer. I listened to all his albums, and dreamily gazed into his eyes on the covers.

And, I wondered what it would be like to kiss him on the lips.

In 1977 in suburban Chicago, I didn't have words to express my feelings.

I didn't know what being gay meant or that there was even a word for it.

But, I did know that Shaun was something special.
He was the only reason I watched "The Hardy Boys" on TV. Well, Pamela Sue Martin as Nancy Drew was also pretty fierce.

This video clip is really pretty hot. Shaun's kinda beefy, and when he's sweaty and showing his armpit? OMG! It's almost porn.


I never met Shaun, and my crush is well over.
Although, his songs do still rotate in my iPod.

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

Ed Loves Kirk Cameron!

My first gay crush was Kirk Cameron on "Growing Pains."

And I guess I'm really ashamed to admit it, considering what a raging homophobe he is today.

There were probably earlier crushes I ignored, but my first serious crush around age 15 was Kirk Cameron. 

Yep... My crush was the Bible-carrying, gay-hating, 'Stephen Hawking is an idiot and evolution is a LIE!'-spewing Mike Seaver.

But back then? I would have rather severed a limb than miss an episode of "Growing Pains!" Just the title of the show is quite suitable for the way that I was feeling at the time.

Too bad I never had the courage to admit it...
Not then, and not today 25 years later. I may be alone, but at least I'm not married & living a lie.

Ed - Iron Mountain, MI
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Inspired by the "Born This Way Blog" - BornThisWayBlog.com

Jim Loves Ringo Starr!

I had lots of gay crushes, but Ringo Starr
was my first real, celebrity gay crush.

When I saw The Beatles on the "Ed Sullivan Show" in 1964, my heart started pounding hard.

Then I felt somthing going on inside my jeans...

When they zoomed in on Ringo playing the drums,
I bent down and kissed him on the TV. My mom saw this and asked me what I was doing.

"I'm kissing Ringo. He is so cute. I just love him," I said. Then mom looked at me and said, "It's a good thing your dad didn't see you do that. He would have had your heiny."

I turned around and looked at mom, and said,
"So what if he saw me kissing the TV. I don't care. Besides, he doesn't care about me anyway. I wish grandma was alive. She would understand how I feel."

Then my mom came over and gave me a hug, saying
"I understand how you feel. I'm very proud of you."

Thanks, mom!

Jim - Bear Valley, WI
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Inspired by the "Born This Way Blog" - www.BornThisWayBlog.com

Hillery Loves Bobby Sherman!

My first gay crush was Bobby Sherman.
I loved his long hair and his smile.

I'm a 47-year old gay guy who has a very vivid memory of my first gay crush, though I'm not sure I was aware what it all meant at the time.

I had seen Bobby on "Here Comes The Brides," a hybrid comedy/drama western TV show. I'd also seen some of his records as cardboard cutouts on the back of Post Cereal boxes.

My memory is of me marching into kindergarten one morning, and telling all my friends that I had a dream that Bobby Sherman kissed me. I can still remember a lot of the details of that day very well (weird, I know). No one seemed to raise an eyebrow. A few kids said that was cool, and then we went back to playing at recess.

Much, much later I discovered this video of Bobby singing "Easy Come, Easy Go," my favorite song of his. Have you ever seen a hotter, tighter pair of leather pants?!?


I'm glad I didn't see that video when I was young, or I'm sure my head would have exploded from the excitement/hormones, etc. This memory is the thing I point to when asked whether I think I was born gay.
And I would say "Yes, I was"

I didn't act on my sexuality until much later,
but Bobby Sherman is the first gay-related memory
I have. And the memory is very strong to this day.

Hillery - Atlanta, GA
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Inspired by the "Born This Way Blog" - www.BornThisWayBlog.com

Brian Loves Shaun Cassidy!

During the summer of 1977 when I was 15,
I had my first big gay crush on Shaun Cassidy.

I loved Shaun's big puppy-dog eyes, big smile, long perfect hair, and his tight pants!

Shaun had just come out with his first album - yes, on vinyl, in 1977 - and was also on TV.


He played Joe Hardy, with Parker Stevenson - who wasn't too bad looking himself! - in "The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries" on Sunday nights.

I watched every episode. But my favorite showed Shaun keep reaching into his pocket to play a tape recorder.

Every time they showed a close-up of his pocket, they would show some of his hairy leg as well.

My young heart was pounding away! But my older brother complained about why they kept showing him playing his tape recorder. "Who cares," I thought, "I hope his pocket tears wide open!"

That summer while driving on a family vacation,
I would try to find his song, "Da Doo Ron Ron" on the radio. And again, my older brothers complained. They said they didn't want to hear him.


Going through puberty, I not only had my first crush, but I also learned to keep my feelings and thoughts to myself. And, I was taught shame and guilt very well by my family!

Brian - Royal Oak, MI
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Inspired by the "Born This Way Blog" - www.BornThisWayBlog.com

Patrick Loves Joey McIntyre!

My first gay crush was Joey McIntyre from
New Kids On The Block, when I was about 10.

My older sister was a big fan of them too, and had the "Hangin' Tough Live" concert video. Which we watched religiously.

She liked Donnie and pretended he was singing to her, but I secretly longed for Joey.

Especially when he sang "Please Don't Go Girl."


And I never refused when she wanted to watch it!!!

I even went out and bought his CD when he first went solo, so my crush lasted a good while. Haha!

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

Joe Loves Jordan Knight!

The year? 1989. My age? 12. And I had something in common with every pre-pubescent girl of the day.

I was obsessed with New Kids On The Block!

And for one reason:

Jordan
Nathaniel
Marcel
Knight

Yes I am a dork and know his full name. I also know his birthday, May 17. Don't judge me.

I thought he was "cool" - but little did I know what "cool" really meant.

I loved his big brown eyes, rat tail, dance moves, his VOICE, and of course that SMILE.

Celebrity crushes have come and gone over the years. But Jordan will always be my first. 
I even professed my love for him via Twitter, to no avail. Sigh.

Did I mention he's gotten better with age?

Joe - Chicago, IL

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