Friday, June 10, 2011

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

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Winter Loves Esteban!

My first ever gay crush was Estebanfrom 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

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

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

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

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

Monday, June 6, 2011

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 DarrenI 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