Todd Loves Big Jim!

My first gay crush was on Big Jim,
a Mattel action figure doll.

In 1972, Mattel Toys' pacifist answer to G.I. Joe arrived in my life - wrapped with a bow no less - on my 5th birthday. And yes:

My Big Jim doll was my first gay crush.

And seriously,
what's not to love? 

Those full lips of his, curled in a teasing half-smile. Those gentle brown eyes, large hands, and not to mention that athletic, injection-molded build! He was 8" of handsome jock that you could carry around in your pocket. I took him everywhere.

At age 5, he was my best friend. But even with a vast wardrobe of every sport uniform possible, I recall enjoying him most when shirtless.

Or in just his tube socks! Unfortunately, his orange Speedos were glued on!

Big Jim ignited my lifelong passion for both men and toys. And he certainly made me want to "collect them all!" And, thanks to that man hunk of plastic, I'll always be a sucker for brown-eyed brunettes.


Thank you for creating these amazing blogs. You've started a revolution which has single-handedly helped move the LGBT community towards self-acceptance and, more importantly, self-celebration!

Todd - New York, NY
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Malcolm Loves David Soul!

My first gay crush was 70's actor David Soul!

This was 1977. I was 10-years old and I plastered my bedroom walls with his posters. 

I talked about him endlessly at home and at school, and never missed an episode of "Starsky & Hutch."

I didn't feel pressure to hide my romantic adoration of this gorgeous man.

Which was accompanied by a need and a longing I had yet to understand.


Soon after I started middle school, a classmate spotted a favorite photo I'd pasted into an exercise book. Whatever it was he said, I was mortified that my adoration meant I might be seen as gay.

So, after the 2 years of innocent pleasure I'd enjoyed loving him, I dumped my crush. And with those feelings of shame, I took the first steps into the closet. A place I wouldn’t break out of until many years later.

Malcolm - London, UK
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Click here - "Born This Way: Real Stories of Growing Up Gay" book
Click here - "Born This Way Blog""
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David Loves Corey Hart!

My first gay crush was singer Corey Hart!

Seeing the video for "Sunglasses At Night" started it for me...

Corey Hart had such a smoldering, sexy look that I totally fell for.

As he's from Canada,
I found his slight foreign accent to be especially intriguing.

I followed his career, reaching the peaking point of my crush with his album, "Boy In The Box."

I remember reading an interview in Bop Magazine about how he got his hair so spiky. His answer? Toothpaste. So I gave it a try to be like him. It didn't work on my hair that well, but it did smell minty fresh that day.

My crush on Corey was a secret, but I would tear out the full page pics of him in Bop and 16 magazines, and put them on my bedroom wall. I felt like it wasn't as obvious, since I had Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, and Wham! posters up there in the mix, too.

David - Los Angeles, CA
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Inspired by the "Born This Way Blog" - BornThisWayBlog.com

Paul Loves Prince Eric!

I was 9-years old when Prince Eric from "The Little Mermaid" stole my heart.

He was chiseled, sensitive, and able to maintain a perfect coif at all times - even against strong sea winds!

And of course, he's royalty.

One day, I remember going shopping with my mom in search of birthday presents for my younger sister.

I came across a book of Disney paper dolls. While my sister had no interest in them, I tried desperately to convince Mom otherwise. I just had to have that picture of Prince Eric in his underwear!

I suppose a cartoon prince was the safest crush for a gay, Midwestern boy from a conservative family. I mean, he wasn't even 3-dimensional. 

Sitting in religion class at my Catholic school, I filled the perimeters of my notebooks with doodles of Prince Eric, all the while learning about the "evils of homosexuality."

That year our family took a beach vacation.

I ventured out into the water by myself one evening. With nothing but waves as far as I could see, it was easy to imagine being swept away and washing up on a distant shore.

Someplace where a handsome prince would be waiting to rescue me — and make me "part of his world."

Paul - Columbus, OH
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Inspired by the "Born This Way Blog" - BornThisWayBlog.com

Victor Loves Mike Patton!

My first gay crush was in 1990, for 
Faith No More singer Mike Patton.

I was about 7-years old when I discovered my first real crush, because I was OBSESSED with MTV.

I remember the video for "Epic" coming out, and hearing all the controversy over the flopping fish at the end of the video.



At the time, I didn't realize what I was feeling about singer Mike Patton, so I thought about it in a very child-like way. I remember telling my mom that I wanted to look like him when I grew up. I had a major thing for his long hair and I loved the song, even as a kid.

I think it is hilarious now as an adult, that the first crush I remember is now someone I respect as a prolific musician. And I still think he's hot.

Victor - Washington, DC
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Inspired by the "Born This Way Blog" - BornThisWayBlog.com