Robert Loves Bluto!

My first gay crush was Bluto!

I was obsessed with cartoons as a kid in the early 70's in Bellvue, WA.

I would get up really early, ready to watch everything from "Josie & The Pussycats" to "Betty Boop."

Which leads me to my crush, which I know might sound crazy. But hey, straight boys love Betty Rubble. They even go so far as to call pretty girls, 'Betties.'

Until around age 4, the only man I'd really seen was my dad. Then up pops Bluto, the first cartoon "Daddy" I'd ever seen - and I was smitten. At that age I didn't know what those feelings were, but I knew I liked 'em!

Bluto was tall, dark, all muscles, and all man! His giant arms and pecs tickled me where I had never been tickled before. Sure, he was a bit ugly and mean, but my crush on the "bad boy" was born.

As the years rolled on and the more "Popeye" I watched, the hotter I thought he was. In fact, there's an episode from the 50's where Popeye gives him a shave and a haircut. And when he is done, he's a dreamboat.

Later, at my first swimming lessons at the public pool in the dressing room, I saw a whole room of naked guys with hairy chests and muscles just like Bluto. And in my young mind, I knew I was onto something great!

I loved Erik Estrada, Lyle Wagonner and Gil Gerard too. But it was my little crush on the tall, dark and handsome Daddy Bluto that started it for me!

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

Buck Loves Larry Wilcox!

My first big gay crush was Larry Wilcox - love that name - who played officer Jon Baker on "CHiPS."

I'd had innocent crushes before, but in 1977 I felt the first fleeting stirrings of puberty. And Larry caught my attention in a big way! 

All the girls were going crazy for Erik Estrada, but I kept my eyes on his blonde beauty and cowboy demeanor.

He was my definition of the perfect man - handsome, strong, quiet. Yet gentle and kind.

Each week I'd watch "CHiPS" in the hopes that Jon would get as much shirtless time as Ponch. Alas, I was always disappointed. For some reason they never let him take off his shirt! I remember a fleeting glimpse of his bare chest in one beach episode, and another in a boxing episode. But they were way too brief for me!

I wanted teen mag style skin all over the place!

Maybe there was something in Estrada's contract that limited Larry's shirtless time so as not to detract from him - sort of like Ethel Mertz always having to be 20 pounds heavier than Lucy Ricardo.

Regardless, I crushed on Larry Wilcox for years, and I still get a little flutter when I see that crooked grin and blonde hair in photos from back then. And yeah, I do have a thing for blondes.

Buck - Tucson, AZ
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Click here: "Born This Way: Real Stories of Growing Up Gay" book
Inspired by the "Born This Way Blog" - BornThisWayBlog.com

David Loves Shaun Cassidy!

I don't care if I am dating myself, but my first gay crush was
SHAUN CASSIDY, baby!

Shaun was bascially the Justin Beiber of the '70s.

In 1976 I was in the 1st grade, and I aked my parents to buy me a "Hardy Boys" poster.

Of course, I certainly never told them why I wanted it. And oddly enough, once I hit puberty, my sexual tastes developed in a completely different direction.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but these days I really go for the bear type of a man. And twinks - a la Shaun Cassidy - now leave me kinda clammy.

David - Memphis, TN
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Inspired by the "Born This Way Blog" - BornThisWayBlog.com

John Loves Peter Jennings!

My first gay crush was news anchorman Peter Jennings.

It was the late 1960's, and I was about 12-years old.

And I thought he was the most handsome newsman on TV.

He was so polished, professional, and a beautiful man.

It was around this time when I first started to be old enough to watch and understand the news, and I looked forward to it every night. It made me very sad when I heard he had died of lung cancer back a few years ago.

But Peter Jennings was still handsome and professional right up to the very end.

I still miss you, Peter. Anderson Cooper is hot, but he still can't hold a candle to you!

John - Raleigh, NC
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Inspired by the "Born This Way Blog" - BornThisWayBlog.com

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