Cory Loves Devon Sawa!

My first gay crush was teen actor Devon Sawa!

I'd known since I was about age 7 that I didn't feel about girls the way I felt about boys.

So I'd pretty much accepted that I was gay by that point.

One summer day in 1996 at age 13, I came upon a special issue Tiger Beat featuring the movie "Wild America" starring Jonathan Taylor Thomas, and an actor I'd never heard of before named - Devon Sawa.

One look at Devon's blonde, angelic, masculine features, those gorgeous blue eyes, full lips and taut frame wrapped up in that leather jacket, spotless white t-shirt, and tight blue jeans? 

My heart actually leaped into my throat!

I'd had never (and still to this day have never) fallen so hard and so instantaneously in my life! 

For the next three years, Devon consumed my every waking thought. I immediately found every movie he'd done to that point.

I literally rewound the nude scene in "Now & Then" so many times I wore out the VHS tape!

Devon disappeared for a bit after "Wild America" but I was very pleased to see him make a resurgence on TV.

And I was even more delighted to see that Devon, like a fine wine, has vastly improved with age. 

He's not just beautiful anymore, he's now a very sexy, full-grown man. 

But I still feel a bit of nostalgia for the boy I used to crush over, dreaming of him lying next to me in my bed, with him wrapped in my arms.

Cory - Wyoming, Michigan
_________________________________________

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

Mark Loves Kent McCord!

My first gay crush was actor Kent McCord!

I was 12 years old when I stayed up until 9pm watching "Adam-12" on WNBC in New York.

And that's when I first saw that handsome duo: 

Kent McCord as Officer Jim Reed and Martin Milner as Pete Malloy.

I was glued to the screen, and couldn't believe Kent's chiseled perfection and piercing blue eyes! 

Martin Milner was good looking too, but I never 'stained the sheets' wet dreaming about him.

It was my mission since then to move to Los Angeles, and in my fantasy, to be 'cuffed' by Officer Reed. He is so handsome and probably isn't even aware of his sex on a stick persona.

I did actually move to LA years later, but I never met Mr. McCord in the 25 years I lived in the Valley. Which is probably a good thing.

I honestly don't know if I would've thrown myself at him (even if Mrs. McCord or his 2 children were in tow), or simply drooled as I stuttered like a teenager in heat asking for an autograph!

He is STILL handsome now as a silver fox.

My fantasies have subsided, but he will always take my breath away. I own 5 seasons of "Adam-12" and will pop in a DVD at least twice a month to relive my first crush. 

Wow, a 40 year CRUSH! Who knew?

Mark - Hemet, California

______________________________________________________________________________________

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

Wayne Loves Peter Tork!

My first gay crush was The Monkees' Peter Tork!

I was around 9 years old when The Monkees premiered on NBC. 

At that age I was also a big fan of music like The Beatles and Paul Revere & The Raiders.

I loved reading 16, Flip, and Tiger Beat magazines, all of them cover to cover. 

But I could never actually "see" my heroes, except in the movies.  

I remember seeing The Beatles' "Help!" in the Pascack Theatre in Westwood, NJ. All the girls in the theatre screamed the whole time!

With The Monkees, it was like I got to spend a half hour with my new "fave raves:" Davy, English and my height (LOL); Mickey, the perfect class clown; and Mike, the mature, responsible one. 

And then there was Peter. He seemed like someone I wanted to live next door, to be best friends with. 

Sometime in the summer of 1968, one of the mags printed a two-page "Body Painting" photo of Peter. There he was, no shirt, almost down to his belly.  

I grabbed my markers and started designing Peter with groovy psychedelic patterns and colors. I remember lying on our living room floor, on my stomach, drawing circles and squares around his nipples, his pecs, and felt some sort of stirring in my 11-year old loins. So I guess you could say that coloring Peter's poster induced my puberty!

Forty or so years later, I met him, and he is a super nice guy. And still cute! I didn't tell him about him being a catalyst in my becoming a man, but I certainly remembered!

Wayne - Ridgefield Park, NJ

_______________________________________________________________________________________

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

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

Jeff Loves Donnie Osmond!

My first gay crush was dreamy Donnie Osmond!   

I was 10 years old, and growing up as a gay boy in the 1970's was a magical experience.  

Back then, my sister bought all of the popular teen magazines, such as "Tiger Beat" (my FAVORITE), "16" and "Teen Beat." We read them from cover to cover, and trust me, those magazines were dog-eared and tattered when we were done with them!  

My sister also had a set of Donny Osmond bubble gum cards, which I snatched away. I saved them in a dresser drawer and would pull them out whenever I wanted to imagine myself kissing his luscious, lovely lips.  

I kept my Donny Osmond desire a secret from my family. But to this day, I am still partial to dark haired men with pretty white teeth and full lips.  

Thank you for all you do for the gay community with your blogs. You are much appreciated!  

Jeff - Wichita, Kansas 
_________________________________________________________________________________________

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

Victor Loves River Phoenix!

My first gay crush was actor River Phoenix.

And more specifically, his character Chris Chambers in the movie "Stand By Me."

I remember that I was shocked by his beauty.

I was roughly 12 in the early 2000's when I saw the movie for the first time. I loved how he was tough and a rebel, but also very sensitive and sad inside.

I was very sensitive too, and I remember crying at every emotional scene he had with his friend Gordie. What moved me the most was how he was being protective with him, even with his own problems.

At the time, I wanted to see them as a sort of couple, so I was jealous of Gordie and thought he was annoying and selfish. Ha ha!

Oh, and I also remember re-watching the scene with River shirtless with the leeches. I had to watch that scene covertly when my parents weren't around!

Victor - Avignon, France

________________________________________________

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

Henry Loves Fred Dryer!

My first gay crush? Actor Fred Dryer!

When I was around 12, I used to stay up late and read in the family TV room, as I liked the silence. I have a big family, so getting some time just for myself was rare. 

Then one night in 1984, I was bored of reading and I switched on the TV. There was a show called "Hunter" just starting. I was just about to change the channel, 'cuz police shows were not my thing. 

But then, I saw HIM. 

A tall hunk of MAN with broad shoulders, black sunglasses, and tight blue jeans. I had never seen a man with a huge bulge like the one he had!  

Of course, I was sold. 

I watched the show and sat very close to the TV so I wouldn't miss any scenes of his very visible bulge.

As this was "pre Internet searching" all I could do was watch the re-runs at night to get my fill.

And when I went to bed, I would dream that he would stand in front of me, grabbing my arm and placing my hand on his growing bulge...
_______________________________________________

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

Jonathan Loves David Cassidy!

My first gay crush? Duh! David Cassidy!

From the time "The Partridge Family" first aired in 1970, David Cassidy was the preferred boy idol of the girls in my grade school.

Which lands this crush during my tween years. 

Fronting the fictional family band, he sang one of their most popular hits: "I Think I Love You" - 
a full out ode to being fearlessly in love!

But then in the Spring of 1972, Annie Leibovitz's "Splendor in the Grass" portrait of him ran on the cover of Rolling Stone!

And I felt something truly illicit when I acquired a copy of it. 

However, my feelings were hidden away at the time.


But they fueled endless fantasies of David and I rolling around naked in the grass (for starters).

Looking at it today, I would still like to roll around naked in the grass with him!!!

Jonathan - Staten Island, NY

_____________________________________________________________________________________

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

Chris Loves Sean Connery!

My first gay crush? Actor Sean Connery!

Unlike a lot of the entries here, my tastes tend to run to older guys, and it was certain situations on TV that I found totally titillating. 

Such as "The Rifleman" and "My Favorite Martian," where there was an older/younger male couple living together.

Or even two men against the world scenarios, like "The Wild Wild West." So I loved hotties like Chuck Connors, Bill Bixby, and Robert Conrad. 

But honestly, the man who hit the biggest nerve was Sean Connery. 

I’d always loved him in the "James Bond" films.

But when I first saw "Zardoz" (at age 13 in 1974) with a mostly-naked Sean running around and being probed? 

That got me popping wood.

To this day I still believe Sean Connery epitomizes masculinity and he will forever get my vote for the Sexiest Man Ever.

Chris, Los Angeles CA
___________________________________________

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

Andy Loves Val Kilmer!

My first gay crush was Val Kilmer as Batman!

It was 1995, and I was 9 years old at the time.

I had always loved Batman, so when "Batman Forever" came out, of course I HAD to see it. 

From the first time I saw Val Kilmer as Batman,

I was smitten. Oh, those intense eyes, pouty lips, great body and tight little butt! Who could resist someone who was so -- MALE!?

Val was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen! And then there was his voice. The kind of soft, sensual voice that could just make you cream your jeans! WHOO DOGGIE, WHAT A MAN! 

I swoon a little bit now just thinking about it.

There was no doubt in my mind that he was the man of my dreams. That is until I discovered Jonathan Taylor Thomas, but that's a whole other story!

I still have my "Batman Forever" movie poster. 

I would probably still drool over it today! LOL!

Andy, Phoenix Arizona 

________________________________________________________________________________________

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

Steven Loves Scott Bakula!

My first gay crush was actor Scott Bakula!

I was age 13 in 1991, and I fell madly in love with Scott on "Quantum Leap."

He had those kind eyes and that big nose. And even though he was so big and strong, he had that sweet voice.

I wanted him to hold me tight, and kiss me all over my face.

I watched way too much TV back then, and had simultaneous crushes on the dad from "The Wonder Years," Ken Howard from "Coach," and basically the entire cast of "Wings" (particularly Antonio the cab driver).

But Scott was the first guy I seriously thought about kissing and making out with. While I had no idea what to do in bed, I did know that every time he took his shirt off, I didn't want to look away.

No one ever knew about my crush, and I pretended that I had the hots for Paula Abdul every time the video for "Promise Of A New Day" would show on VH1.

I'd always agree with my best friend that Paula looked so hot dancing in that grass. Little did he know I was actually hot for Scott!

Steven - Frederick, MD

_______________________________________________________________________________

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

Christina Loves Phylicia Rashad!

My first gay crush was actress Phylicia Rashad!

I had always watched "The Cosby Show" but it wasn’t until I was 8 that I really started to notice the beautiful Phylicia Rashad. 

In 1988 we had just moved, and I was watching the show while my parents unpacked. There was a scene where she just floats into the room, hair flowing back, skin glistening, with a smile on her face. 

All of a sudden I felt a rush and I felt hot!

From that moment on, every time Clair Huxtable came onscreen, those same feelings arose. When I hit puberty, the feeling became more intense. I thought she was the Queen!

I used to steal magazines that she was in from my parents, and I recorded every episode of "The Cosby Show" on VHS. I certainly didn’t tell anyone that Phylicia Rashad got my blood boiling, but everyone knew I loved her.

And don't even get me started on how hot she looks dancing in the opening credits!

Christina - Alameda, CA

_________________________________________________________________

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

Tweet

Kevin Loves John Wesley Shipp!

My first gay crush was John Wesley Shipp. I was 9!

My mother had returned to working in the late 70's, so I was left with my grandmother every afternoon after school.  

Each day I got off the school bus at 2:45pm - just in time to get a cookie and sit with her.

Together, we both watched "The Guiding Light," her favorite soap "story."

I can remember feeling "tingly" in my bathing suit area, every time John wore his. I just wanted to touch his chest, biceps, and inner thighs!  

I was still way too young to understand why I felt this way, but I knew that John was somehow stirring these feelings.    

I didn't feel this way again about another guy, until Tom Selleck started taking his shirt off on "Magnum PI" for me every week!

Kevin - New York, NY

____________________________________________________________________________

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

Doogie Loves Russ Tamblyn!

My first gay crush was actor Russ Tamblyn!

Ever a hopeful romantic in 1962, I first "fell in love" (at age six) with actor and dancer Russ Tamblyn as The Woodsman in "The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm."

As a gymnastic dancer, Russ also appeared in "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" (1954), as “Tom Thumb” (1958) and as Riff in "West Side Story" (1961). 

They often dyed his beautiful ginger locks. But to this day, if I had a physical “type,” it would be a diminutive ginger with a big smile, such as I first adored in Russ. 

Athletic dancers like Russ and Gene Kelly later spurred me to petition my backwoods high-school to start a gymnastics team. Their verdict: 'Gymnastics is not a suitable activity for boys.' Thank heaven for civic theatre where I occasionally danced in the chorus. But I was forbidden formal training in dance or gymnastics.  

Back then, I often had to settle with just doing backstage work. But I eventually found a new love in writing for theatre and film.

Doogie - Ocala, Florida

______________________________________________________________________________

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

Ken Loves Sergio Franchi!

My first gay crush was singer Sergio Franchi! 

On Sunday October 14, 1962 I was 11-years old. 

And back then, Sunday night meant only one thing:

Gathering around the TV to watch "The Ed Sullivan Show." 

The number one song on the radio was "The Monster Mash." But when Ed introduced the very exotic and dashing Italian tenor, I sat up and took notice as he stole my heart singing "Core Ngrato." 


"Ungrateful Heart" ... ironic, no? 

He was simply the most handsome man I had ever seen! I decided then and there to save my pennies and travel from rural Massachusetts to Rome, where we would become great friends. And, perhaps more?

Suffice it to say, I was in love! 

Ken - Massachusetts
_________________________________________________________________________________

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

Sophie Loves Kate Winslet!

My first gay crush was actress Kate Winslet. 

At age 9, I totally fell for her in 1997. To me, she was simply the most beautiful creature in existence. 

There was just something about her that made me dizzy and made my heart ache.

I would stare at her picture for hours and try to draw her, dreaming up all sorts of plots and scenarios in which I'd get to meet her. I remember busily collecting "Titanic" posters and pictures of Leonardo DiCaprio with my friends. I had a strange little crush on Leonardo as well, which, in retrospect, seems just as gay?

I remember asking them, 'But don't you just think KATE WINSLET is b e a u t i f u l ?' I couldn't understand why they weren't as into her as I was.

My mom said I was too young to see "Titanic," so we rented "Sense & Sensibility" instead. 

I remember being terrified there would be a nude scene, and everyone would be able to tell what I was thinking. 

Kate just tore a hole in my heart that day. 

And even without a nude scene, I was blushing and excited all over throughout the entire film. 

Sophie - Vienna, Austria

____________________________________________

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

Paul Loves Seann William Scott!

Thinking back, it’s hard to remember my exact first gay crush. However, the front runner to this day has to be Seann William Scott!

I had older sisters and was allowed to watch the "American Pie" movies. I was a 10 year old in Northern California when the first one came out, and I was in love. 

Yup, I was in love with the guy who played Steve Stifler. I don’t know if it was the arrogant attitude, his womanizing antics, and/or overtly sexual behavior - but boy, was I in love! He was a total jerk, but his body was perfect.

I was unaware that this would explain the type of guys I’ve dated as an adult! But besides that, I followed all his movies, and one of my favorites was “Road Trip.” 

Embarrassingly enough, it's because of the scene at a sperm bank. He gets his prostate stimulated by a woman, and watching him enjoy that was the pinnacle of prepubescent "alone time" in my room.

That eventually lead to me getting caught watching that scene on repeat. Although my sister heard the scene repeating from my room, it was still my big secret. Or so I thought!

To this day, I still get excited whenever I see him in a movie or on TV. And I can’t wait for the "American Pie Reunion"!!!

Paul - San Francisco, CA

________________________________________________________________________________

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

Jeffrey Loves Kent McCord!

My first gay crush was actor Kent McCord!

He was special to me, because it was the earliest time I can recall staring at a man's face on television. 

As Officer Reed on "Adam-12" he was serious, clean cut, and professional.

He was a hero, a cop, and he sure looked good wearing that police uniform. 

And he was, in my opinion, unbelievably handsome. 

Even at 5 years-old, I knew I wanted to be married to him.

I loved watching "Adam-12" even though I didn't even understand what was going on most of the time. Also, my parents often sent me to bed before the show finished.

I kept my crush a secret from everyone. I was way too young to know what 'gay' meant anyway. But I did know it wasn't socially acceptable.

Jeffrey - Portsmouth, Virginia
_______________________________________

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

Larry Loves Ron Ely!

My first gay crush was Ron Ely of “Tarzan” fame. 

I have very fond memories of watching weekend afternoon reruns of "Tarzan" when I was around age 12 to 14 years old.

I believe his stint as “Tarzan” ran from ’66 through ’68.

At the time, I didn’t exactly understand why I was so drawn to him, but I sure do now. 

That handsome face, those lips, his hair.
And that very daring and teasing loin cloth! 

I vaguely remember often visualizing rescue scenarios as I was falling asleep at night, imagining him as my hunky older savior. 

This is probably why I’ve always preferred men a bit older than me.

Larry - Atlanta, Georgia

____________________________________________

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

Dor Loves George Michael!

My first gay crush was George Michael! 
Oh, those white teeth and charming smile. 

In 1984 I was 14, and Wham! had just come into my life. Somehow Annie Lennox was also on the list as she was so damn androgynous and amazing.
And Boy George was on my list as well.

But George Michael was my main man, my young gun, and my careless whisper all rolled into one lovely Grecian God!

I used to imagine that "Club Tropicana" was a real place and I dreamed of working there. 

To this day, Wham! remains in my music mix and George remains a full blown crush, alas only figuratively.  

When George came out, I was so relieved and happy for him. With that white speedo and sparkling smile, I think we all knew it all along. 

Long live the 80's! 

Dor - Portland, Oregon 
_____________________________________________

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

Chazzy Loves Bluto!

My first gay crush was Bluto!
In the early 60's when I was 7-years old, I watched Popeye cartoons on TV after school.

Popeye's arch nemesis and rival for the attention of Olive Oyl was a bearded, aggressively masculine sailor named Bluto.   

Bluto had huge shoulders and curvaceous pectoral muscles that were visible right through his sailor uniform. He would try to impress Olive and intimidate Popeye by flexing his huge biceps. 

This gave Olive palpitations and would send Popeye into a jealous rage. 

The animators gave Bluto various roles like cowboy, lifeguard, lumberjack, and biker. These all made him a virile counterpoint to the wussy, spaghetti-armed Popeye. 

In one cartoon I remember vividly, he was a circus strongman dressed in a black speedo and yellow tank-top. He made his muscles dance, bent steel bars, and lifted huge barbells as everyone in the crowd watched in awe. 

When little goody-two-shoes Popeye ate his spinach and beat him to a pulp, it was a travesty my young mind couldn't comprehend! I tried to talk with my little friends about how cool Bluto was and how he deserved to win at least once in a while. 

But they were not having any of it. To them, Bluto was 'the bad guy' and that was that. 

I had to pretend that I liked Popeye better so that nobody would suspect that I was 'weird.' 

Chazzy - Connecticut
___________________________________________________________________________

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