Victor Loves Alan Bates!

My first gay crush was British actor Alan Bates.

It all started with the 1966 film, "Georgy Girl," which I'd been watching on television (NBC's 'Saturday Night at the Movies') in the late 60's.

Though Bates is unrelentingly adorable and roguish throughout the movie, one sequence in particular is burned into my brain: it's when he is running after Georgy through a rainstorm, declaring his love.

And when he gets to the apartment, he begins to walk towards the camera, calling out to her while stripping off his clothes -- down to his soaking wet tightey whities!

That sight of Mr. Bates in his underwear became the central image in the fantasies of a 12-year old boy who had no idea what being "gay" even meant.

The rest, as they say, is history..."

Victor - Chicago, Illinois 
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Dean Loves Davy Jones!

My first gay crush was Davy Jones of The Monkees.

It was 1969 and I was about 7-years old.

The combination of his looks and their music sent me into a tizzy, and I would sit in front of the TV transfixed. 

It was because of him that I would later crush on singers like Bobby Sherman and David Cassidy. But, Davy was the first. 

I loved his eyes, his lips, his smile, his hair, his accent -- ok EVERYTHING about him!
He was so cute and seemed so sweet!



If no one was aware of my crush, they were blind. Or just thought I REALLY liked The Monkees. 

I still smile when I see a picture of him. 

 Dean - Winston-Salem, NC
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Chris Loves Sean Connery!

My first gay crush? Actor Sean Connery!

Unlike a lot of the entries here, my tastes tend to run to older guys, and it was certain situations on TV that I found totally titillating. 

Such as "The Rifleman" and "My Favorite Martian," where there was an older/younger male couple living together.

Or even two men against the world scenarios, like "The Wild Wild West." So I loved hotties like Chuck Connors, Bill Bixby, and Robert Conrad. 

But honestly, the man who hit the biggest nerve was Sean Connery. 

I’d always loved him in the "James Bond" films.

But when I first saw "Zardoz" (at age 13 in 1974) with a mostly-naked Sean running around and being probed? 

That got me popping wood.

To this day I still believe Sean Connery epitomizes masculinity and he will forever get my vote for the Sexiest Man Ever.

Chris, Los Angeles CA
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Sophie Loves Kate Winslet!

My first gay crush was actress Kate Winslet. 

At age 9, I totally fell for her in 1997. To me, she was simply the most beautiful creature in existence. 

There was just something about her that made me dizzy and made my heart ache.

I would stare at her picture for hours and try to draw her, dreaming up all sorts of plots and scenarios in which I'd get to meet her. I remember busily collecting "Titanic" posters and pictures of Leonardo DiCaprio with my friends. I had a strange little crush on Leonardo as well, which, in retrospect, seems just as gay?

I remember asking them, 'But don't you just think KATE WINSLET is b e a u t i f u l ?' I couldn't understand why they weren't as into her as I was.

My mom said I was too young to see "Titanic," so we rented "Sense & Sensibility" instead. 

I remember being terrified there would be a nude scene, and everyone would be able to tell what I was thinking. 

Kate just tore a hole in my heart that day. 

And even without a nude scene, I was blushing and excited all over throughout the entire film. 

Sophie - Vienna, Austria

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Dor Loves George Michael!

My first gay crush was George Michael! 
Oh, those white teeth and charming smile. 

In 1984 I was 14, and Wham! had just come into my life. Somehow Annie Lennox was also on the list as she was so damn androgynous and amazing.
And Boy George was on my list as well.

But George Michael was my main man, my young gun, and my careless whisper all rolled into one lovely Grecian God!

I used to imagine that "Club Tropicana" was a real place and I dreamed of working there. 

To this day, Wham! remains in my music mix and George remains a full blown crush, alas only figuratively.  

When George came out, I was so relieved and happy for him. With that white speedo and sparkling smile, I think we all knew it all along. 

Long live the 80's! 

Dor - Portland, Oregon 
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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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Steve Loves Mark Lester!

My first gay crush was UK actor Mark Lester. 

The year was 1969. I was 9, and he was 10. And he was SO cute, with an adorable singing voice.

I wanted to be his friend the moment I saw him.

Sitting in a darkened movie theater watching the movie "Oliver" with my entire 5th grade class, I was smitten with him.

This was long before any awareness of sex, but I was definitely aware of my attraction to Mark.

I wanted to live with him and the Artful Dodger 
(Jack Wild) and all of Fagin's boys. I wanted to share a bunk and swap shirts with him. And pick pockets with him, just like all the other scruffy kids in the gang.


Afterwards, my friends giggled about seeing "Nancy’s boobies" in her low-cut wench dress. 
I was mystified. Nancy? Who was watching Nancy? Certainly not me!

Long before I knew I was gay, I had a fondness for blondes, and Mark Lester was my first.

Steve - Austin, Texas
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Tony Loves Albert Finney!

My first gay crush was actor Albert Finney.

The movie "Tom Jones" came out in 1963, and I was 13.

This crush was so special to me, as it really revealed to me who I truly was.

The guys I had gone to the movie with were all giddy about the buxom Susannah York and her exposed cleavage. But I was silent, as I only had eyes for Albert as Tom.

Finney was suave, debonaire, flirtatious, and just gorgeous. And with a sparkle in his eye and a smile that would have melted butter.

But I knew I couldn't say what I was really thinking: "He is sooo cute!"

I went home that night a changed person, and started to reassess my relationships with my pals: Which ones I liked swimming or wrestling with. Who made me nervous when we had sleepovers. Who earned the badge of being my "best" friend. And yeah, which ones were cute.

I never told anyone about my crush until I came out years later. But every time I see pictures of him circa 1960, I smile warmly. There's nothing like a first love to keep you feeling young.

Tony - Miami, FL
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