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

Philip Loves David McCallum!

Back in the 1960's, before I even knew what our naughty bits were for, I would find myself unable to stand up in front of my parents, after watching
"The Man From U.N.C.L.E." on TV.

All thanks to David McCallum as the Russian super spy, Illya Kuryakin. As I look back, what is important to me was the awareness I had. Even at that young age, I knew that I liked boys. Er, men.

Illya was in good company in my crush category since then, with actor Peter O'Toole and David Bowie also on the list. Somehow, it always came down to those slender, blond, UK guys for me.

Philip - New York, NY
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Inspired by the "Born This Way Blog" - BornThisWayBlog.com

Barbara Loves Yvette Mimieux!

I was around 10-years old, and my first gay crush
was 1960's actress Yvette Mimieux.

As the frail, emo girl in "Where The Boys Are," Yvette needed to be rescued. And I was just the one to do it.

Then on TV in 1964, she was Dr. Kildare's one true love.

As a surfer girl with epilepsy, she couldn't give up surfing, even though her condition made it dangerous.



That sealed my obsession with Yvette. I fantasized about saving her from fatal surfing accidents, and making her promise to only go surfing with me.


I had a relationship with another Yvette as an adult. And the theme was pretty much the same.

Barbara - Woodstock, NY
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Inspired by the "Born This Way Blog" - BornThisWayBlog.com

Tony Loves Sgt. Knox!

My first gay crush was Sgt. Knox.

I was age 7 in 1980, and I was addicted to Japanese Anime.

Growing up outside of Boston, I would watch "Star Blazers" on TV, religiously at 3PM every weekday on the UHF dial.

Remember the UHF dial, people?

The show centered around a crew following a signal from a distant planet. On the way there, they picked up a bunch of Space Marines from the edge of our solar system, to help save the Earth.

The leader of those space marines was a man named Sgt. Knox. And in a moment, my taste in men was formed for the rest of my life.
Knox was loud, brash, and occasionally crude. Built like a Mack truck, he didn't take crap from anyone. The American dub featured a voice actor who sounded like he was from Long Island or New Jersey, which only made him even more compelling.

I suppose the subtextual military homoeroticism might have set off my nascent Gaydar, but I think the scene where we got to see Knox bare-assed also may have been a factor. And I was in love.

Those eyebrows! Those teeth! That huge f*cking gun!
His belt had a lot of pouches, like a handy lesbian.

AND HE HAS KNEE PADS BUILT INTO HIS UNIFORM!

Since my first gay crush was a cartoon character, there wasn't much chance of meeting him in real life. But he secured my attraction to square-jawed bears. They protect you from aliens!!!

Tony - Los Angeles, CA
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Inspired by the "Born This Way Blog" - BornThisWayBlog.com

Dave Loves Pernell Roberts!

My first gay crush was Pernell Roberts
on TV's "Bonanza."

Growing up in rural Mississippi in the 60's, I busied myself with the world of television.

My other fave shows were "The Fugitive" (especially for David Janssen) and "Lost In Space." 

But I felt Dr. Smith was rather "queeny," and I wondered why Will Robinson's parents allowed their son around such a flamboyant man.

Matt Dillon on "Gunsmoke" was another arousal back then, too. But it was seeing Pernell Roberts' chest hair on "Bonanza" that sealed it for me - that I was not like the other boys in the neighborhood.

And, I wasn't concentrating on how to play Cowboys & Indians - I was concentrating on him.

I'd hoped when the cast of "Bonanza" was in town at the state fair that I'd get to meet him. 

Instead, they sent Michael Landon to represent the cast, and it was my older brother who was fascinated to meet him.



And for me, to this day, a man with a hairy chest will always get my fancy. Thanks to Pernell Roberts.

Dave - Jackson, MS
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Inspired by the "Born This Way Blog" - BornThisWayBlog.com

Joshua Loves Neil Patrick Harris!

My first gay crush was Neil Patrick Harris,
as TV's Doogie Howser.

I watched the show as a kid with the rest of my family. I remember being obsessed with his hair, and wanting to touch it.

Like a silly child, I imagined him in his Dr. uniform, and we would hold hands and kiss.

But he resembled every blond-haired, blue-eyed boy I had as friends and crushes growing up.

While I didn't identify myself as gay until I was about 12-years old, my crushes always seemed like normal infatuations to me.

And since I was convinced that I would grow up to be a doctor too, I thought he was the perfect man for me. I got a real thrill when he came out as gay, and I hope one day I can actually meet him.


Joshua - Los Angeles, CA
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Inspired by the "Born This Way Blog" - BornThisWayBlog.com

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

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

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

Magno Loves Macaulay Culkin!

Macaulay Caulkin was my first gay crush.

I was around 10-years old, and loved watching him on the "Wish Kid" TV show.

He's a bit older than me, but since this aired here in Brazil a few years after it aired in the US, it was like we were the same age.

The show was animated, but Macaulay is seen in person at the start of each episode. 

And I was totally in love with him!

I would daydream about him all the time. I even dreamed of us meeting and dating. It was never any sort of sexual fantasy, though. After all, I was just a kid and so was he.

Later I was introduced to "Home Alone" (and its sequels), and I was still terribly in love with him. And it was me who fancied being alone with him! Wish kid thinking, right? Hahaha!

I don't recall when that crush silliness wore off, but today when I watch Macaulay - and I did see "Party Monster" BECAUSE of him - I don't have any kind of romantic feelings towards him at all.

Magno - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Inspired by the Born This Way Blog - www.BornThisWayBlog.com

Karen Loves Elizabeth Montgomery!

My first gay crush was Elizabeth Montgomery.

I was age 6, and I thought she was so beautiful. But I was completely baffled by Samantha's willingness to marry dorky Darren, and to try to please him all the time.

My first feminist thought was: Why would a woman with that kind of power give it up for a man?

I also adored Samantha's mother, Endora, mostly because she constantly made fun of Darren. I can clearly remember thinking Samantha should keep her sweetness, but be powerful and exotic like Endora.


I didn't know what gay meant then, I just knew I loved Samantha. And if I married her, I'd let her be herself and use her magic. 

I knew I could make her happy!

Yes, a witch pretending to be mortal just to please someone was a perfect metaphor for a lesbian growing up in the early 70's. I didn't figure that out until many years later.

By then, I understood how society worked, and would disguise my crushes by saying I wanted to be like a female character. Or that I "admired" a certain female actress. I disguised them even from myself.

But at age 6, I didn't have to lie to myself. It seemed perfectly normal wanting to marry Samantha.

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

Jules Loves Zachary Quinto!

My first gay crush was Zachary Quinto
as Sylar/Gabriel Gray on "Heroes."

I know it wasn't the best show, but for some reason I kept watching. Not a big mystery with him on the show.

So, at age 14, I was head over heels for a telekinetic serial killer, who cut open peoples' skulls to study their brains.

I probably thought it was some kind of sex metaphor?

There's something about those huge but well-shaped eyebrows, and his rather large nose. I was in gay Jewish heaven, even if he's actually Irish-Italian.
After a few episodes, my gaze drifted downward.

He was fit, had clear skin, and he had some fine chest hair. I was in love with everything about him, serial killer or not. And I've had an enduring celebrity crush ever since.

The only trouble my crush got me in, was mentioning Sylar to my SECOND gay crush when we talked about it: "He is creepy. But oh my Zeus, what a hottie!"

Jules - New Orleans, LA
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Inspired by the "Born This Way Blog" - www.BornThisWayBlog.com

Charles Loves Prince Valiant!

I was a kid way back in the 1940's, and my first gay crush was Prince Valiant from the comic strip.

Prince Valiant was the hero. He had blue/black page boy hair, a square jaw, broad shoulders, and brilliant blue eyes.

It took me many years to understand what my attraction really meant.

But, I knew he was an icon that was vibrating something deep inside me.

And how does one explain a child's spontaneous reaction to an archetype? We are sexual from birth, and this imaginary, youthful, handsome male from the late dark ages captivated me. "Valiant" means brave, bold, and courageous. And I admired his strength, beauty, and heroic qualities.

We are such visual beings.
And we clearly respond to these things from birth.

Charles - Philadelphia, PA
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Inspired by the "Born This Way Blog" - www.BornThisWayBlog.com