Ann Loves Jessica Lange!

My first gay crush was Jessica Lange.

I was 12 when I first saw "Tootsie" in the theater. I was transfixed by this story of an actor (Dustin Hoffman) pretending to be a woman for a soap opera role. He developed an intense crush on his female co-worker, played by the stunning Jessica Lange.

As he was a man trapped in a woman's body, Jessica's strong negative reaction to him almost kissing her was so sad to see as a young lesbian. In the end Jessica relents, but only because he was really a man. I didn't have that luxury. And what a hard movie to watch with my mother!

But just look at her. She is so beautiful, and still my perfect image of a woman. And I identified so strongly with Tootsie, who was unable to express his love for her, because he was outwardly female.

He watched her in the mirror, his gaze full of lust and fear of discovery. Um, yep.

Ann - Redmond, WA
________________________________________

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

Matthew Loves Kerr Smith!

My first gay crush was Kerr Smith as Jack McPhee
on "Dawson's Creek".

It was 1998 and I was 17 years old, and struggling to figure out my own sexual orientation.

Then, "Dawson's Creek" (my favorite TV show) introduced a new character named Jack McPhee.

Initially he was dating Joey Porter (played by Katie Holmes).

But mid-way through that season we learned that Jack was gay. In an intense scene, Jack is forced by a cruel English teacher to read a poem he wrote aloud, and he breaks down crying, because that poem very much described a gay crush.

Eventually, Jack came out to his father and sister and declared to the world that he was gay.

What was unique about Jack, is that unlike other gay teens on TV at the time, he didn't just vanish by the next episode. He continued as a main character on the show, carrying his own storylines. He even dated several guys on the show. We saw Jack fall in love and kiss etc., remaining important to the show.

Something about Kerr Smith was very attractive to me. And his dark hair, chiseled face, and dimples were all I needed to know that I was, indeed, gay.

Matthew - Providence, RI
_______________________________________

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

Juan Loves Don Grady!

My first crush was Don Grady, 
as Robbie Douglas on "My Three Sons."

I was 7-years old.

Being the oldest kid in my family, I wanted an older brother like Robbie.

The same was true of the older brother on "Flipper." And later, David Cassidy on "The Partridge Family."

Juan - Mexico City
____________________________________

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

Peter Loves George Michael!

George Michael was my first gaycrush,
which happened when I was around 8-years old.

Immediately after Saturday morning cartoons ended, Casey Kasem's Top 10 Countdown came on. I still had some cereal in my bowl and loved music, so I kept the TV on to watch.

I distinctly remember Casey saying something like, "And now our number 1 song comes to us from the UK. This singing duo is climbing the charts, and here they are. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go by Wham!"

Once the video started, 
I literally could not believe what I was seeing.

I was hypnotically glued to the screen, watching a young George Michael in boom-boom shorts and fingerless gloves.

And then: 
He began skipping and dancing around the stage. I have no idea how long I stared with my mouth agape, but once it was over, I ran upstairs to my room and began kissing my pillow groaning:

"Oh Wham, oh Wham..."

I was only a couple minutes into this when my older sister walked in and said, "What are you doing?!" 
She ended up tattling on me to my mom. The two butt swats I got had no effect, as my love of George Michael never passed. Yup, I still love him today.

And to my sister Mandy: I love and forgive you. *smile*

Peter - Los Angeles, CA
____________________________________________________

Click here: "Born This Way: Real Stories of Growing Up Gay" book 

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

Dan Loves Batman & Robin!

As a kid in the 60's, long before puberty, my first crush must have been TV's Batman & Robin.

Maybe it was the masks, perhaps the mysterious tights, or maybe the camp - probably all three - but they did put a tingle in my 6-year-old loins.

And then the purring Earth Kitt as Catwoman confused me even more.

Though in retrospect, she was just the gay icing on the cake!

Dan - Los Angeles, CA
___________________________________________________________________________________

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