Mike Loves Randy Mantooth!

My first gay crush was Randy Mantooth.

I was 7-years old when I first saw him as
paramedic Johnny Gage on the TV show "Emergency!"

I remember watching this show for the first time, sitting on the floor at my grandparent's house in California. When he appeared on the screen, I was immediately captivated. I'd watch the show anytime
I could, never following the story, just him.

The creepy thing that I realize now, is that he played a paramedic/firefighter - and my dad was a firefighter for 30 years! Does this mean that I should find myself a good therapist?

My grandmother was a huge Liberace fan, and always watched his TV specials. And I remember the chauffeur that drove his Rolls Royce was hot, too. LOL!

Mike - Seattle, WA
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Jordy Loves Scott Thompson!

My first gay crush was Scott Thompson
from "Kids In The Hall."

My parents must have left a 12-year old me alone with our TV, and our one and only channel, CBC. Because I know I wasn't allowed to watch "Kids in the Hall." But what kid listens to their parents?

I saw the beautiful blonde Scott in a sketch where he declares to the other members of the troupe that he's gay.

And I finally found out what the Catholic school kids on the bus were calling me. 'Gay' meant a man who thought other men were cute. I thought the other Kids were cute, too. Well, except for Kevin...

So how could 'gay' be wrong?

Of course, I had to hide it in my conservative town. But seeing Scott be so free about his sexuality in the early 90's was an inspiration.


I don't know that I would be here today without Scott to look up to, especially his flamboyant character Buddy Cole. Finally being able to see someone like myself was a revelation.

Jordy - British Columbia, Canada
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Inspired by the "Born This Way Blog" - www.BornThisWayBlog.com

Beverly Loves Robby Benson!

My first gay crush was Robby Benson
as Billy Joe McAllister in "Ode To Billy Joe."

It was summer 1976, I was 14, and my hormones were raging. The local movie theater was playing "Ode To Billy Joe".

I knew I was gay, but I was very inexperienced and still coming to terms with my sexuality.

I'd never seen Robby Benson before.

And when he came on the screen, I nearly died. Instant attraction and crush!

His face, voice, and mannerisms were so cute, and when he took off his shirt, things started to tingle in strange and interesting places. He was the first older boy/actor that I found really super attractive.

The movie's overall theme, the tragic figure he played, and the fact that he had a homosexual encounter in it made it even more titillating. The tragedy that follows was both powerful and moving, thanks to Robby's outstanding performance.


Later, I read the book that the movie was based on and contacted the author. He wrote me back saying that although Billy Joe was a fictional character, the story was loosely based on actual events.

Even today, when I hear the theme song that helped inspire the movie, sung by the sultry Bobbie Gentry, I immediately think of Billie Joe and Robby Benson.

I've followed Robby's work ever since, and I'm happy he went on to have a great career, even becoming the voice of the "Beast" for Disney. But that's another story...

He's still really attractive, but alas my crush has waned. However, the memories of that summer in '76
will last a lifetime. Thanks Robby!

Beverly - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
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David Loves Shaun Cassidy!

My first gay crush at age 14?
Shaun Cassidy as Joe Hardy in "The Hardy Boys."

I first fell in love with him when I saw him singing "That's Rock 'N Roll" on the Grammy Awards in February '77.

I was fascinated when he turned toward the audience, and danced moving his ass in those tight, satin pants.

Then I noticed how cute he was again, on the cover of his first album.

I got to meet him in 1981 when he came to sing in Mexico. By then, he'd matured physically and had a super body - great legs, great butt, great bulge!

Shaun was definitely in my 'wet dreams' as a teenager.


I also liked Christopher Atkins (wow!), Matt Dillon, Greg Evigan, Christopher Reeve, & Parker Stevenson.

But my first? Shaun, always...



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"Modern Family" Has Gay Crushes!

And their writers have for sure
seen the "Born This Way Blog" ! :)


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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Gordon Loves Martin Sheen!

My first gay crush was Martin Sheen.

It was 1972, and I was 13 when I saw a movie called "That Certain Summer".

It was the story of a romance between two men, and it was something I'd never seen before.

And Martin Sheen was so handsome. I dreamed about him for weeks!

His great looking body and hairy chest literally just made me melt.

In summer of 1981, I was working at a hotel in Tulsa, Oklahoma where they filmed the movie "Tex".

Martin Sheen's son Emilio Estevez was one of the stars of the film.

We became friendly. His dad came for a visit, and Emilio introduced me to him.

I was in such a state of euphoria that I could not speak. I just shook my head and smiled.

Gordon - Tampa, FL
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Brian Loves Lance Bass!

My first gay crush was Lance Bass from *NSync

Which is strange, as I definitely didn’t know I was gay at the time.

I didn’t even know what the heck gay meant, except it’s what all the boys called you when you annoyed them.

But there was always something about Lance Bass that attracted me.

He's the reason I was on Team *NSync instead of Team Backstreet Boys.

Although, Nick Carter was nothing to sneeze at, either...

While all the girls drooled over Justin Timberlake as lead singer - and all the boys were proclaiming how gay the boy bands were, all the while ogling Britney Spears - I had my eye on Lance.

At least I had good Gaydar for a 10-year old...

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

Bill Loves John Phillip Law!

My first crush was John Phillip Law in
"The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming"

Although 1966 seems about as far away to me as the Paleolithic Age, I can still vividly recall the night I saw "The Russians Are Coming" at the old Manor Theater in San Mateo, CA.

I was 13, and when John Phillip Law came on the screen wearing his Russian submariner sweater and speaking with that thick 'Hollywood' Russian accent - I could feel my heart begin to race!

His 'love' interest on the screen was some generic blond (I think she was famous as the first Clairol Summer Blond girl), but when he gazed longingly into her eyes and spoke his romantic lines, everything else faded to black and it was just me and him.

Needless to say, I was first in line when "Barbarella" opened!

Bill - Oakland, CA
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David Loves Greg Evigan!

My first gay crush was Greg Evigan.

I was about 13 when he starred in "B.J. & The Bear" - which sounds like the name of a porn flick now - LOL!

I was madly in love with him.

He had the perfect blend of a youthful face and a manly, furry body. He is just the type of guy that I'm still attracted to.

I spent a lot of time as an early teen looking at his shirtless pix, imagining running my fingers through his gorgeous hair. Yes, both the long lovely hair on his head, and the fur on his chest.

I also spent some time using my pillow to cuddle up with and pretend that it was Greg I was wrapping my arms around.

I also may have practiced kissing my pillow thinking about Greg, but I'll never admit to it. ;-)

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

John Loves John Schneider!

My crush was John Schneider
as Bo Duke on "Dukes Of Hazzard"

I was about 14 when I started to really notice the very obvious bulge in his very tight jeans!

My sister and I used to watch the show, and I would pretended to be in lust with Daisy Duke.

But alas, it was the beautiful, shirtless blond in the cowboy hat 'n tight jeans that really piqued my interest.

To this day, I am still in lust with Mr. Schneider.

If I ever met him, I might react like silly school kid. In fact, I blush just thinking about it.

John - Lake Elsinore, CA

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Sean Loves Matt Dillon!

Matt Dillon was my first gay crush. He still is.

It actually all started with a crush I had on Kristy McNichol, so I ran out to see "Little Darlings."

Needless to say, the moment Matt came on screen, I dumped Kristy and never looked back.

I still have a crush on Matt and have occasionally seen him out and about. And I still get all fluttery when I see him.

See, my crush won't end!

The string of movies he did after "Little Darlings" just solidified my crush, like "Rumblefish," "The Outsiders," and "My Bodyguard" - where I so needed him, as I was totally bullied myself.

What wasn't there to love about him?

Sean M - Los Angeles, CA
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Paul Loves David Cassidy!

My first gay crush was David Cassidy!

And obsession is more like it! I begged my oldest sister Andrea to take me to see him in concert in 1972. There weren't many other boys there, but I can pretty much guarantee that every one of us was gay. And screaming and shrieking for David!

All I knew, was I could not resist that shag haircut, his gleaming huge smile, and those beautiful green eyes. And his voice was so soothing and amazing to me. And Friday nights back then meant the holy-grail of pre-teen TV for kids: 
"The Brady Bunch" followed by "The Partridge Family" - pure 70's gay boy heaven! 

I bought every "16" & "Tiger Beat" magazine he was in. I even made two separate scrapbooks: One for David alone, the other for the rest of the cast. 

One day when I was about 12, I was hanging out with my sister Linda and her teenaged girlfriends. They were all playing records, and one of her friends pulled out the sleeve on my Partridge Family "Up To Date" album. And she saw what I had written on the white sleeve inside:

I drew a flower around the hole in the middle, and wrote: "The petals of love for David Cassidy" - and I was MORTIFIED she saw that! My sister has no recollection of this, of course... 

I was lucky enough to meet David Cassidy just before his 40th birthday here in LA, and he was just as sexy. And a super nice guy, too.

David was the FIRST, mega pop star of the TV age.

Everyone went absolutely crazy for him. 

Rest in peace, David. Thank you for everything! 

Paul V., your Blogmaster - Los Angeles, CA
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Click here: "Born This Way: Real Stories of Growing Up Gay" book
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