Jeffrey

Jeffrey, age 4

Baton Rouge, Louisiana (1977)

I am on the right, like you couldn't guess, with Christian, my younger brother. At age 6, I knew that splashing around the backyard inflatable pool was better with disco music. So I had Mom play disco tunes out of the tinny little mono radio. I liked it so loud that it nearly burst the speaker. Disco dancing in the pool involved flailing my arms around and splashing my completely resigned younger brother.

"Esther Williams, eat your heart out!"

You might think growing up Southern Baptist in the deep South was a recipe for disaster, but my parents showed me so much love (and demonstrated acceptance of individuality), that I never felt bad about being different.

I had a crush on Todd, a counselor at Baptist Bible camp the same summer this picture was taken. I remember needing a great deal of time and attention from him in the pool at camp. I even "accidentally" swam into him.

Gay/Les/Queer/Bi kids should know that the very stuff that makes life tortuous as a kid, makes life delicious as an adult.

As Oscar Wilde reminds us:
"To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance."

Jeffrey's first, famous-person same sex crush:

Tom Selleck ("Magnum, P.I.")

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Jeffrey

Jeffrey, age 7

Wetumpka, Alabama (1968)

I was a smart, eccentric kid, who was quite often prone for creating dramatic moments. I was fairly extroverted and asked lots and lots of questions, which I later discovered annoyed many adult friends & family members. The best thing my parents did for me then was get me involved in a local children's community theater program, to channel my creative energy. Also, I was quite conscious of my wardrobe, even at an early age. A childhood friend recently reminded of my youthful passion for Hush Puppy shoes, which started in about the 3rd grade.

"It’s never too cold to show off a nice pair of legs."

This was the Christmas photo call on the front porch of my grandparents’ house. Why was I wearing shorts outdoors at Christmas? Lord only knows. My beloved grandmother told me shortly thereafter that I was getting to be too old for shorts and knee socks.

Growing up in Texas, I always felt like I was different from other kids. For my entire childhood, I couldn’t understand why I didn’t like football, dating, or other things Texan. It was not until I went off to college that my first girlfriend suspected what was going, labeled it, and got me onto the path of self-discovery (yeah, a real-life Will & Grace).

At some level, I just cringe looking at the pic now. However, it really does capture who I was at that time. Although I’ve never been a clotheshorse by any stretch of the imagination, smart-dressing has always been hugely important.

For younger gay kids now, I say: Dare to be different, and always be true to yourself. High school may suck, but college will be great!

Jeffrey's first, famous-person same sex crush:

Adam West ("Batman")
Along with Danny Powell, the lifeguard at our local swimming pool
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Click here - "My First Gay Crush Blog"
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Jeffrey

Jeffrey, age 4

New Bedford,  Massachusetts (1963)

We were in a military family that moved quite often, and what I mainly remember about this picture is, my father being uncomfortable, and hurrying up the  process.

I first knew I was gay by around 6th grade. I remember crushing on Flipper's dad and Adam West as Batman.

And I loved TV dance shows like American Bandstand, Soul Train, and Lawrence Welk - ooh, Cissy and Bobby!

I love this picture now and use it for my Facebook profile at times.

Jeffrey's first, famous-person same sex crush:

Brian Kelly (the dad on "Flipper")
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Click here - "Born This Way: Real Stories of Growing Up Gay" book
Click here - "My First Gay Crush Blog"

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Jeffrey

Jeffrey, age 7

"C'mon, Get Happy!"

Mt. Holly, NJ (1977)

This photo was taken when I had just turned 7 years old, at the beginning of 2nd grade.

My memory of the photo is the shirt collar that I chewed on. Plus hideous plaid pants that were hand-me-downs from cousins, who were 8-years older than I was, at the time.

Hence the circa 1970's look!

When we received the developed photos in the mail, I recall being scolded by my father, for the way I was holding my arms, and for my giggly face.

At the time, I couldn't understand why. LOL!

I knew I was different by age 4, when I asked for a Barbie for Christmas.
My parents got me "The Sunshine Family" - which consisted of a hippie Father, Mother & Baby. They even indulged me with a Barbie Van in a wonderful lavender color!

Oh, did I mention I was obsessed with Judy Garland and The Wizard of Oz
when I was 7?! God help us.....

This particular photo makes me cringe. Not because of how I'm posing, but because of the awful clothes.

I had many male crushes then, but the first one I could remember is Ken Berry from an episode of The Brady Bunch. I believe it was meant to be a spin-off episode from the series. He and his wife (Brooke Bundy) were trying adopt 3 boys, all of different races and colors. I'm still puzzled by what made him so appealing to me at a young age.

One other thing I'd like to add is about the movie "Making Love" with Michael Ontkean and Harry Hamlin. Having cable TV in my teens was a godsend! That movie was definitely a defining moment in my gay adolescence.

So, there you have it.

Jeffrey's first, famous-person same sex crush:
Ken Berry (on "The Brady Bunch")
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