Penny for your thoughts: Man crushes

By Little G on Thursday, October 1, 2009 - 17:52

While all our attention went - understandably so - to the annual AfterEllen Hot 100 list earlier this year, our fellow homos on AfterElton.com invited the ladies who frequent their site to vote on what they think are the hottest (out) men. Although I was too late to put in mine, plenty of women submitted their votes. That resulted in The Ladies' Choice Hot 50.

When I was younger I remember getting surprised looks from people whenever I spoke my mind and said that I found a certain fella attractive. What - being queer meant one suddenly was completely blind to the opposite sex? I think someone forgot to slip me that memo.

There was some kind of separatist thing going on between queer men and women in the late 70s and early 80s, or so I've heard. As I'm a tad too young to know about the exact ideology behind the segregation of sexes, I also think that feminism in those days should not have excluded men. (Wouldn't it have been better to try and educate them?) Having said that, I realize this could be a discussion worth an entirely separate thread on the forum.
Anyway, I've also read about feminists in that era whose lesbianism was a political choice. Others, who fell in love with men, were sometimes ostracized for "sleeping with the enemy". With that in mind I understand the surprised looks I got. Still, a couple of decades later you'd think that would be history - right? ... But I digress.

Photo: playbill.com

I have one man crush. One that's lasted several years now, and his name is John Barrowman.
He's got a positive attitude, a killer smile, a naughty twinkle in his eyes, and a wicked sense of humor. How can that be not attractive? And I think he's easy on the eyes, too. Add to that the fact John's out, and he has a sexy Scottish accent.

Tags: columns, human interest, identification, man crushes, penny for your thoughts

what is it with british men?

Submitted by thinkpunk on October 1, 2009 - 19:37.

Interesting list at AfterElton, I only know 10 of the people on there. The ones I concur with wholeheartedly:
Simon Amstell and Stephen Fry. They are my guy crushes, if we must call them that. :D I don't even want to think about how many hours I've spent on youtube watching Never Mind the Buzzcocks and QI (or anything else with Stephen Fry). They are the ultimate feel good TV people for me. So ador(k)able.

Ooooh, and before I forget him, the biggest man crush of all: Alan Rickman. Oh my god. He is just stunning. The voice, so sexy, aargh. A while ago, somebody proposed a t-shirt with the print: "Straight for Alan Rickman." To that, I can only say: Word. ;)

I totally agree

Submitted by Caisa on October 1, 2009 - 22:24.

re John Barrowman. In fact I was involved in a tweet stream about him being a hottie just yesterday. And being an old lady I also added a young Sean Connery. Hugh Laurie is also kinda hot in a rugged way. On the other end of the age spectrum is Brent Hunter http://bit.ly/uAPbj At a release party this spring I first hugged my friend Nina Ramsby then Brent and I got the sudden urge to cuddle him and take him home like a lost puppy.

i like the first picture,

Submitted by mono_lisa on October 2, 2009 - 14:20.

i like the first picture, but not because of the guy. the real eyecatchers are the leather chair and the brick wall! that being said, I don't think guy crushes are weird; after all there are lots of decent men out there.

Back when I was a teen I had

Submitted by luna81de on October 11, 2009 - 11:18.

Back when I was a teen I had crushes on Cass Lewis (Skunk Anansie - still think he is kinda hot) and for a very short time also Ethan Hawke (hmm). And even Richie Sambora, though I became even more interested in him when he married Heather Locklear ;)

I don't know many men from the Ladies' Choice Hot 50 list unfortunately but I totally agree on John Barrowman, Neil Patrick Harris and T.R. Knight.
Peter Paige is also really sweet and one of my top favourites is Christopher Gorham (not gay though). I've seen him in three different TV shows and always liked him.

Bruce Springsteen

Submitted by Irish Lass Cate on February 3, 2010 - 18:09.

Springsteen is a god amongst men! I dont know if i have a crush on him, wanna be as cool as him or want him as my best friend but he is soooo awesome!! God, this had made me feel like a stroppy teen again, lmao