Scott Loves Michael Schoeffling!

My first gay crush was actor Michael Schoeffling.

It was early summer 1984.

I was 9 and got dragged to see a movie by my older female cousin.

I remember I didn't want to see this movie at all, and just wanted to go back home and go swimming.


But my cousin was 16, able to overpower me, and she made me go. And the movie we saw changed my life forever: It was "16 Candles." From the moment Jake Ryan (played by the gorgeous Michael Schoeffling) came on screen, I had goose bumps. I had never felt so instantly attracted to anyone like that before.

He was handsome, sweet, and rich. Oh, the chiseled jaw, beautiful eyebrows, smoldering glances, and the way he pegged his jeans. It was love (or at least lust) at first sight.

Feelings and sensations were suddenly unlocked for me, that I'd never felt before. And by the end of the movie, I was sobbing with all the teenage girls in the Cineplex. 


After the movie, I would pray to wake up one day and be Molly Ringwald, so that I could go off and marry Jake. I was convinced he was the man for me.

To this day, men who resemble Michael Schoeffling still get my blood boiling. Thus, my second gay crush was on Matt Dillon, because to me he had the same physical attributes: dark hair, thick brows, smoldering looks...

Whew, is it hot in here? :)

Scott - San Diego, CA
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Inspired by the "Born This Way Blog" - BornThisWayBlog.com

Bobby Loves Ricky Schroder!

My first gay crush was Ricky Schroder.

The first time I saw Ricky was in "The Last Flight of Noah's Ark" in 1980.

I was only 9, but I remember being jealous of his friend in the movie, and I wanted desperately to be his best friend.

I didn't understand my feelings, but I know I was obsessed with wanting to know more about him.

I made my parents rent "The Champ" just so I could watch more of the boy with the blonde hair and the bright blue eyes.

By the time Ricky was in "Silver Spoons" in 1982,
my crush had developed to the point that I would hide my sister's Tiger Beat magazines, so I could look at the pictures of Ricky, alone by myself.

I still hadn't figured out exactly why I wanted to know as much about him as possible, as I stared at every picture and read about his "likes/dislikes." But I did know that these feelings were to be kept hidden, especially from my older brother.

I feel like I grew up with Ricky, and by the time I recognized this crush on him during "Silver Spoons," I started to come to terms with the idea that I was gay. While I wouldn't come out to my family for many years, I'll always remember my first crush.

Bobby - West Hollywood, CA
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Inspired by the "Born This Way Blog" - BornThisWayBlog.com

David Loves Jack Larson!

I was around 7 when I developed my
first gay crush, on TV actor Jack Larson.

I was a big fan of the show "Superman" in the 50's. Superman himself didn't do much for me, but I was totally into Jimmy Olsen, played by Jack Larson.

He and Lois Lane, were always being captured and put into harm's way, always rescued at the last minute by Superman.

I recall a few episodes that for whatever reason, Larson was shirtless. I saw some photos from those episodes many years later, and I still got turned on. He was quite the sexy man.

A shrink could probably have a field day with this, but - I think I wanted Superman to rescue me from my crazy parents? I totally identified being stuck in a dangerous situation. 

But I wasn't sure if I wanted him or wanted to be him. I was, however, delighted to find out years later, that Jack Larson is gay. And, that he had been partnered with Montgomery Clift for some time.

David - Austin, TX
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Inspired by the "Born This Way Blog" - BornThisWayBlog.com

Bjørn Loves Matt Dillon!

My first gay crush was
definitely Matt Dillon.

On May 22nd, I celebrated the 25th anniversary of coming out to myself.

Obviously, it's fairly difficult to pinpoint that kind of an event accurately.

But I have the proof, from when I was 14-years old:

This 5/22/86 diary entry first mentions I might be gay. The reason I wrote what I did, was from seeing that photo of Matt Dillon in a magazine.

Matt sure had an impact on me. Because what I wrote (in Norwegian) in the diary says:

"I don't know if I'm gay, but he certainly is very sexy. I have no more to say, other than that I hope I'm turned on that much by sexy girls."

Well now, 25 years later, I can assure you that never happened ... :-)

Bjørn - Stange, Norway
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Inspired by the "Born This Way Blog" - BornThisWayBlog.com

Doug Loves Guy Williams!

My first gay crushes: the men on "Lost In Space." It was quite an alluring show for me.

Growing up in my small town,
I lived mostly in a land of make-believe, while other kids busied themselves with sports. Then "Lost In Space" came along and I fell in love.

I wanted a father figure like Prof. Robinson. He was a stern authoritarian, but also so kind and gentle. Everything my white-collar dad was not.

What I imagined our relationship would be, I can't say. But I knew I wanted Guy Williams to hold me.

And then there was Mark Goddard as Don. There was something special about the way he wore his belt down over his hips, like a gunslinger in outer space. Or perhaps the sexual sparks he emitted with Judy.

My make-believe fantasies included Prof. Robinson and Don together in much different, confusing ways.

I really wanted to be Will Robinson, and I imagined myself traveling to distant planets with my pet Robot. It was quite the fantasy for me. 

Everyone on the show (except the annoying Dr. Smith) set off some radar along the way. Even Debbie, that weird chimp!

"Lost in Space" helped me realize I might be more "different" than I could have ever imagined.

Doug - Ellwood City, PA
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