10 of Our First Gay Crushes (When We Knew)

John Schneider

"In second and third grade, I had a pretty lasting crush on Bo Duke, the blond country boy played by John Schneider in TheDukesofHazzard. He had perfect teeth, pretty eyes, and perfect curly blond surfer hair, which I now realize was a little incongruous with his good-ol'-Georgia boy character. He's still handsome too. But given the choice now, I'd opt for team Luke (Tom Wopat circa 1982). I could do without their super problematic 'General Lee' car, though." - Matthew Breen, Deputy Editor

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Johnny Depp

"Given the recent news, I'm a bit sad to admit that mine might have been Johnny Depp in 1984's A Nightmare on Elm Street. It was his film debut. He was so cherubic then, lounging on his bed with his big floppy hair, chunky headphones, and midriff tee. The number 10 would never be the same for me." - Jason Lamphier, Executive Editor

Nitro

"One of my earliest objects of masturbatory affection was Nitro from American Gladiators. I'd like to think my tastes have evolved since then." - Dan Heching, Editorial Intern

Joey Lawrence

"Joey Lawrence, Blossom-era. But his music video for 'Nothin' My Love Can't Fix' really cemented it for me. Meanwhile, the entire Lawrence family can catch it, but Joey wrapped his plaid shirt about my young gay heart's waist and never let go. WHOA!" - Les Fabian Brathwaite, Associate Editor

Dean Cain

"I had a serious crush on Dean Cain as Clark Kent in TheNewAdventuresofSuperman. The way Teri Hatcher would grip onto those bull-size biceps and tear his shirt off made me want to be her. I liked Dean's transformation from nerdy to superhero (he's way hotter with glasses, actually). The fact that Clark Kent is a journalist and I somehow ended up becoming a journalist is pure coincidence." - Julien Sauvalle, Senior Editor

Keanu Reeves

"Keanu Reeves in Speed did all sorts of weird things to my body." - Jesse Steinbach, Digital Managing Editor

Freddie Prinze Jr

"I remember having a dream about Freddie Prinze Jr, circa She's All That, while in the back seat on a family vacation. I woke up and thought to myself, 'What the fuck was that about?' I'm pretty sure it was that last scene with the soccer ball that did it for me." - Glenn Garner, Contributor

Gael Garcia Bernal

"The underwear swim/pool scene in Bad Education gave me a sexual growth spurt. Or maybe the pool scene in Y Tu Mama Tambien. Take your pick." - R. Kurt Osenlund, Managing Editor

Shawn Ashmore

"Mine was Shawn Ashmore as Bobby Drake/Iceman from the X-Men series. I was a big nerd in school, so I felt safe with these characters. And Bobby had those curls and those blue eyes. I melted (pun intended)." - Michael Lambert, Associate Editor

Justin Timberlake

"It was a combination of me never being attracted to women and being a late bloomer that made 2004 Justin Timberlake just do it for me. I guess it could have been worse... Justified Justin Timberlake is infinitely better than any N*SYNC incarnation." - Dennis Hinzmann, Assistant Editor