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

Henry Loves Bobby Sherman!

My first gay crush was singer 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.

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.

Henry - 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

Lydia Loves Sara Gilbert!

At around age 12, I started realizing I liked girls. There were a few girls I found myself attracted to, but no one did it quite like Sara Gilbert.

It started out as just a thing for her character Darlene on "Roseanne," but even now I still find myself a little attracted to her.

I caught the show mainly in re-runs, and the Darlene I fell for was was dark, moody, brooding, and wore ripped-up jeans. And I identified with her.

Later I found out that Sara Gilbert really is a lesbian, has a partner, and two children. So I'm happy for her!

And, I kinda feel like my Gaydar picked up on that, even though she was acting as someone else on TV.
Lydia - Nashville, TN
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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