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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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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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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Dottie Loves Lynda Carter!

I had 3 gay crushes. Is that wrong?

My first gay crush was on
Wonder Woman in the 70's.

Actually, it was for Lynda Carter, who played Diana Prince, aka Wonder Woman.

I loved how she ran around in almost nothing in high heels, using the golden bracelets to protect her from harm.

The way she twirled around and flung the Lasso Of Truth was phenomenal. I wanted to take a ride with her in that invisible airplane.

My second gay crush was in 1988, during the time I was working on my masters degree. I needed a break, so a friend and I went to see "DOA" with Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan. During the movie, I thought a lot about her. She was so pretty and cute, and I sought out other movies she starred in.

My third gay crush was Geena Davis' character in "The Long Kiss Goodnight." I loved the way she kicked ass in that movie.

Dottie - Redmond, WA
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Luke Loves Cloud Strife!

My first gay crush was Cloud Strife.

Being the nerd I was at age 11, I crushed out on this tortured soul from "Final Fantasy 7."

I felt that way too, so he was pretty awesome.

And I was not.

He was an all-around, broody action guy who fell in love, lost it, but never stopped fighting.

And his hair was pretty damn awesome and sexy.

Of course, he wasn't full-on physically attractive until he was rendered in full CGI glory in "Advent Children" and given a smoldering voice.

I was too young to really play the game, so I would just sit on the floor of my brother's room, and watch him play "Final Fantasy 7" for hours.

Luke - Victoria, Australia
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Sean Loves Sean Marshall!

Sean Marshall my my first gay crush.
Well, sort of. Keep reading...

I was a very awkward child, both physically and socially.

I had this idea that everyone in the world was my best friend, and so I behaved accordingly. Well, imagine my disappointment. Also imagine that I had no defense against liking people who thought I was a total oddball.

Then I saw Disney's "Pete's Dragon," and I wanted to be best friends with Pete. I had no idea who Sean Marshall was, which was fine because he wasn't part of my crush. Pete was.

Here was a kid who was an outsider in his adopted family and in the town he landed in. It felt like that was me on the screen, except Pete had a pet dragon to be his defender. Luckily, it just so happened I liked dragons! And overalls!

I imagined we would talk about mythical animals we could strike down our enemies with. And wanting to look the opposite of how I had to dress in Catholic school. No polyester shirts! Yay!

I've never told anyone this, probably because it reveals too much about my psychology. But just wait till I post it on Facebook...

Sean - Erie, PA
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Jack Loves Tim Considine!

My first gay crush was 50's teen actor, Tim Considine.

At my age, the straight world might call me an 'old-timer.'

In gay terms, I guess that makes me a fossil? Thus, I imagine few others would remember my first gay crush?

And back in the 1950's, my mom worked at a time when few mothers did, so I often came home to an empty house.

Rather than playing ball outside with the other kids, I ran home to watch TV, where I sat absorbing what the world was going to be for me.

While I eyed several of The Mousketeers on "The Mickey Mouse Club," my heart truly belonged to Tim Considine. He also played Spin on TV's "Spin & Marty."

As I was shipped off to YMCA camp every summer, that was more fertile ground for forming crushes. And the experience of bunking with other boys cemented my self-casting as Marty. He was the not-cool, self-sufficient kid whose buddy knew his way around.

And who wore jeans that actually fit.

And for sure, Tim Considine gave me a funny feeling in the groin area. Although, there was that friend of my dads who drove a Harley and wore boots and leather, too. But that's another story altogether...

Jack - Upstate, NY
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Chris Loves Atreyu!

My first gay crush was Noah Hathaway,
as Atreyu in "The Neverending Story."

I was about 10 when it came out, and I loved that movie to death.

As one of those lonely kid readers, I could completely identify with Bastian and his wish to be someone like Atreyu.

It would be another 9 years before I really figured out I was gay.

But I watched that movie over and over. I even tried to grow my hair to look like him (bad idea) and imagined all kinds of adventures with him.


I don't think I ever told anyone about this crush, because I didn't really understand it back then. 

To this day, though, I still use the Auryn image from the movie as my avatar everywhere on the web. And I still have very fond memories of the movie.

Chris - Osaka, Japan
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Charlie Loves Chuck Connors!

I'd say my first gay crush was Chuck Connors.

He played the role of Lucas McCain on the 50's TV show, "The Rifleman."

Even his TV son, played by Johnny Crawford, gave me a little twinge.

Even now I still have a bit of a thing for cowboy fantasies. But did I let anyone know about my crush?

I don't think I would have had the words to explain it. Being gay in the 1950's was inconceivable.

Charlie - Washington, DC
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JD Loves "Marky Mark" Wahlberg!

I was 11, and my first gay crush
was "Marky Mark" Wahlberg.

Initially, I didn't like his cocky attitude in his "Good Vibrations" video.

But my hormones soon kicked in after a few months of being mesmerized by his sweaty moves in arty black and white.

And then?

I wanted him to push ME against a chain-link fence, like the lucky female model in the video.


Then his workout tape came out. But I didn't buy it until I was 15 or so, in the bargain bin at K-Mart. I remember being so nervous as I bought it, so my mom and sister wouldn't see. The cashier was almost laughing at my obvious nervousness.

I hid the video inside my coat to leave, and often hid the workout tape at home. I was never able to watch it for very long, thanks to my hormones. And sure enough, I got forgetful once and left the tape in the living room as my family was spring cleaning.

I was clearly embarrassed as my nosy sister asked why I had the tape. And, why I didn't seem as fit as Marky or his workout buddies in the tape.

I attempted to actually use the workout tape for its intended purpose. But again, I could rarely make it past the first few minutes. Which is when they show Marky waking up in bed, in nothing but his Calvin's.

JD - Augusta, GA
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Inspired by the "Born This Way Blog" - BornThisWayBlog.com