It doesn’t take much from a film or TV character — a shirtless scene, a sidelong glance, or even a smirk — to send impressionable viewers’ hearts aflutter. And on Twitter, users have been sharing the screen visions responsible for their gay awakenings.
The user-submitted Urban Dictionary definitions of “gay awakening,” by the way, are as wholesome as they are accurate. One says the experience “can sometimes be terrifying and sometimes [be] euphoric.” Another reads, “It’s scary and wonderful, and you lose all control. Your definition of love is redefined, and you realize this is what you have been waiting for.”
JoJo Siwa, for her part, treated viewers to a “gay awakening story time” last October on TikTok, saying she binge-listened to Demi Lovato’s 2015 song “Cool for the Summer” — long before she knew what it meant — and also glommed onto Jenna Dewan’s Magic Mike dance from Lip Sync Battle.
Below, we’ve rounded up dozens more “gay awakening story times”… to the tune of 45 tweets on the topic.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
He was the gay awakening of an entire generation. pic.twitter.com/nBWst9wn0t
— Queer as folk (@br4444ulio) January 28, 2023
Like this was my gay awakening pic.twitter.com/KtNbVGvGq4
— Jager Maestro (@BiIIyldoI) April 19, 2022
happiest birthday to our gay awakening embeth davidtz pic.twitter.com/TGNwZQ2y0X
— már (@catebismyfav) August 11, 2021
When did you realise you were gay? Justin Long in Jeepers Creepers was an awakening for me. pic.twitter.com/PlTYLWCwqh
— Trekkie David (@davidmcgeoch9) January 29, 2023
My gay awakening https://t.co/SEKn8DhFLI pic.twitter.com/W3ODVSB2q1
— preorder FARZANAS SPITE ?????he/him (@authfelixgraves) June 2, 2021
honestly this guy from school of rock was a gay awakening pic.twitter.com/wxI0vRBPaf
— ??Denali?? (@denalifox) January 20, 2023
my first gay awakening pic.twitter.com/aJ4dtb4iyc
— ???????????? ? (@youngnudyimpala) July 12, 2021
they were my gay awakening pic.twitter.com/gXvCRcAWlq
— lil uzi vers (@NOCHlLLWlLL) November 30, 2022
my gay awakening pic.twitter.com/ScDNy8uNJC
— aisha ? (@simpfordamelios) December 16, 2022
Related: How Brad Pitt’s perfectly sculpted butt awakened James Scully’s inner homosexual
Rewatching some of Buffy Season 3 and it’s obvious that a lot of my gay awakening was Angel coming back from Hell butt naked. I think I wore down my video tape rewinding it and playing it over and over again. pic.twitter.com/lRZG4cnAlw
— The Scarlet B!tch ? (@thechildoftime) September 4, 2020
gay awakening pic.twitter.com/EjDhCeUqNs
— Paul MezKarl (@karlitsssssss) August 17, 2021
My gay awakening mayhaps x pic.twitter.com/KFPk3bs2cN
— Bad Wolf Archives (@BadWolfArchives) November 29, 2022
this was my gay awakening pic.twitter.com/JcIMNMDx72
— kate ? (@anxietylore) October 30, 2022
Random thought… but… er.. what was your gay awakening? pic.twitter.com/LJBHNkigYC
— DocBlythe (@Doc_Blythe) January 8, 2023
i tell you guys all the time that this woman was a huge part of my gay awakening and somehow i’m still blown away by her every time i see her pic.twitter.com/Wnjirf1ry1
— em (@joonember) January 25, 2023
Was this part of anyone else's gay sexual awakening, or just me? pic.twitter.com/76FCB8Oczh
— MattHercSmash (@MattHulkSmash) December 12, 2021
gay awakening methinks pic.twitter.com/AgE8TNdOCl
— h?j — ? (@vaxznas) January 21, 2023
so in retrospect I think george of the jungle was almost certainly my gay awakening? pic.twitter.com/o5rCDAlwhk
— Russell (@Medic_Russell) June 26, 2021
Lt. Surge was part of my gay awakening. pic.twitter.com/B67i91JN5J
— Donny (@dgschell) September 23, 2022
two words: gay. awakening. pic.twitter.com/jj6jwyJJlL
— jules. (@wildsapphic) January 6, 2023
my gay awakening pic.twitter.com/CoUI40jVrN
— abby | tlou spoilers (@villaneve15) December 28, 2022
Happy National Coming Out Day to my gay awakening pic.twitter.com/eFPdN8kyDX
— Holekage Of The Hidden Bussy Village (@CAdreamboy) October 12, 2022
this was my gay awakening pic.twitter.com/0HLD7BsR30
— Samantha (@itssamanthaaaa_) October 11, 2022
this was my gay awakening pic.twitter.com/PQd4cTZRJo
— jack (@bxshell_) August 11, 2022
gay awakening when i was small pic.twitter.com/S44s2gJmxc
— ? (@dyingroot) April 7, 2022
teen beach movie was my gay awakening pic.twitter.com/fomXTqPK2o
— Seddera Side (@sedderaside) August 4, 2022
dr mark sloan was my gay awakening pic.twitter.com/36bSeeLBzB
— ryan (@crymatica) August 30, 2021
my gay awakening pic.twitter.com/ZbqROWhejz
— Sasà ? (@auraofsasa) December 21, 2022
Related: Guys list the male movie characters who awakened their sexuality
Temple of Doom is very dated and questionable but it was also my gay awakening. 10/10 would let him tear my heart out pic.twitter.com/rTbSGCYbOo
— loona the boycott (@TropKickThunder) July 25, 2022
Camila Cabello was my gay awakening for a very good reason pic.twitter.com/VeA5muhtCd
— gaia| wenclair era (@PsychoFreakforC) October 8, 2022
This was my gay awakening pic.twitter.com/klbbofe0Lg
— Gay Toad (@GayToad_3) July 22, 2022
gay awakening pic.twitter.com/Ut3g28mwb8
— doja's gallery (@dojasgallery) May 30, 2021
Just remembered that Beiyuan was Chengling's gay awakening in the novel like yeah, relatable pic.twitter.com/Yx0ckV7Jra
— Twink Enjoyers Anonymous (@fubroshi) December 29, 2021
shay mitchell was my gay awakening like pic.twitter.com/PzQCBIkHfc
— earth rabbit (@mirubunnie) November 1, 2022
happy 76th birthday to @susansarandon, my gay awakening and spiritual mother ?? pic.twitter.com/IFzT8YJwAj
— milfvia plath (@gaynarowlands) October 4, 2022
my gay awakening pic.twitter.com/86MSg8IOzM
— chase (@chaseme) July 10, 2022
happy pride to my gay awakening pic.twitter.com/gqmxsaCpBt
— bela? (@avasword) June 7, 2022
my gay awakening pic.twitter.com/n57flYO1ZL
— hj (@catiebIanket) May 17, 2022
he was my gay awakening tbh pic.twitter.com/cDh9Wc2B1R
— alaska ?? (@onlinegirlie) April 24, 2021
my gay awakening pic.twitter.com/lYuiReAVtf
— abby | tlou spoilers (@villaneve15) April 12, 2022
she was my gay awakening. pic.twitter.com/qXBaBBh76d
— malia ? ia era (@tobesomals) February 23, 2022
il mio gay awakening pic.twitter.com/YrFTpL5GZw
— matisse (@iosonomatisse) March 21, 2022
This was my gay awakening pic.twitter.com/Fy9UBCUmiv
— Lakan (@jacques_lakan) February 16, 2022
Which fictional character caused your gay awakening ? Mine was Johnny storm ? pic.twitter.com/Ujo1vwYAfB
— Niks ? (@_Neekhil_) January 21, 2022
This man probably doesn’t know how large of a gay awakening he was/is. I’m still wanting that banana split. pic.twitter.com/WSNR4tiXLm
— Christian Mørk (@MorkyMork94) September 6, 2021
cc423
Wow. So there were no gay people before 1988. Learn something new everyday.
Brian
Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones in Temple of Doom = 1984.
Several others. Did you actually read the list?
theaterbloke
I’m pretty old so mine was Len Whiting in Romeo and Juliet. Maybe even Michael Parks as Adam in The Bible. Certainly reinforced by John Philip Law as Pygar in Barbarella.
Diplomat
Wow you’re hitting some good ones.
I’ll never forget Leonard Whiting’s beautiful butt shot, whew.
For my gay awakening it was Robert Redford in Little Fauss and Big Halsey. Paralyzing. Got me good.
Today’s perfect swoon would have to be Chris Evans.
bachy
Were you guys aware of the lawsuit involving this film?
‘Romeo and Juliet’ Stars Sue Paramount for Child Abuse Over Nude Scene in 1968 Film
Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting were just teenagers when they electrified audiences in the 1968 version of “Romeo and Juliet,” directed by Franco Zeffirelli. The film was a hit and was nominated for four Academy Awards, but it also stirred controversy over a bedroom scene which included images of Whiting’s buttocks and Hussey’s bare breasts.
Now in their 70s, Hussey and Whiting filed a lawsuit in Santa Monica Superior Court on Friday, accusing Paramount of sexually exploiting them and distributing nude images of adolescent children.
Diplomat
I didn’t know that Bachy, that’s interesting. I would think their contacts would have allowed for that but if they were under age…
theaterbloke
I’m younger than Len Whiting so I never thought of his nude scene as being akin to child porn. If I had been an adult at the time I probably would have looked upon it differently.
RIGay
Jon-Erik Hexum! [mic drop]
Diplomat
Just looked him up. OMG. That’s a fatal attraction.
stanpaske
I watched a lot of bad TV just because he was in it – Making of a Male Model, Cover-up, Voyager.
heath0043
He was sooo sexy looking.
winemaker
John Erik Hexum was a young and gorgeous male model who was to be in the television film ‘ The Making of a Male Model’ in 1983 . He was killed or died shortly afterward causing the film to be shelved and the film was never released. It never was revealed if he was gay or straight but one thing’s certain, he was gorgeous and theoretically could have been the catalist for the gay AHA moment and gay awakenings of many gay guys
bachy
I can’t stand it when people post a photo to their social media account and can’t be bothered to credit the actor or the film – assuming everyone “just knows.” When you’re posting for an international audience, you need to supply appropriate information!
MickeyMoose
…and posting photos of exotic places, people or events, as if everyone “just knows.”
Dick Gozinia
Yep, I had to ‘google search’ several of those, but I don’t mind. Ralph Macchio, Scott Baio and Lance Kerwin were three that did it for me. I don’t remember so many actors being shirtless and ripped back in the olden days.
eeebee333
I guess I’m the oldest guy in the room. Luke Halpin in the TV series “Flipper”.
Mack
Mine goes back to Ricky and David in their flying trapeze outfits or Johnny Crawford with his shirt off chopping wood.
heath0043
I thought his dad was sexy. Brian Kelly
MSM
Luke was a cutie for sure, but i go further back ,to Spin and Marty.
gpa59
My response to that thread wasn’t included in the article. I’m a Boomer — mine were definitely pre 1988! I think I responded with Chad Everett when he was on Medical Center.
heath0043
Good one.
imh451
Mine was Tom Seaver on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
Huron132
There so many small blips for me as I didn’t understand what was happening downstairs. But there was one moment that seald the deal. It was a full frontal of Jan Michael Vincent in “Buster and Billie” I was 13 and at the drive end with my girlfriend. That was my closet door opening with a loud explosion! ??????
Claytonisahobo
I’m old so there wasn’t any gay characters on TV that I know of anyway. The first TV stars I remember having crushes on were The Six Million Dollar Man,, Steve Trevor from Wonder Woman, and most of all Jack Tripper from Three’s Company. If you look at them all, I certainly had a type back then. I think it was the hairy chests, and that sticks with me to this day.
As for gay stuff that got me excited, when I first saw the movie Torch Song trilogy on VHS..the scene where Mathew Broderick and Lance Kerwin make out in the barn…dayum, to this closeted gay kid at the time, that was the hottest thing I had ever scene. And yes I rewound that scene many many times and I think you can figure out why…lol
hwgusn
Every time I see Steven Strait, I’m reminded that I’m not.
Darson
Burt Ward, Robin. Catwoman sprayed him with some special perfume that made him bad. Was intended for Batman. Nothing sexier than bad Robin putting the moves on one of Catwoman’s Kittens. ?
Yooper
Clint Walker, Rod Taylor, Brian Keith, as a kid I’d sit mesmerized at the movie show or TV when any of these hairy men were on screen, then off to bed and a good wank.
theaterbloke
Rod Taylor certainly, though I never noticed it until TCM recently reran The Time Machine and World Without End.
KyleMichelSullivan
Mine was Robert Conrad in “The Wild, Wild West” thanks to all the times he was bound, shirtless, and gagged. I was thirteen the first time I saw him like that. I’m still warped along those lines…and loving it.
davidintampa
Same!! Robert Conrad. Skin-tight black pants and SO handsome! The show was definitely homoerotic!
baggins435
I was born in 1961 in the Deep South. I knew I liked boys long before I ever heard “gay.” My crushes were Jonny Quest and Race Bannon from the cartoon, Ron Ely from the TV show Tarzan-shirtless and in the skimpy loin cloth. And most of the teen boys in the Disney flicks of the 60s and 70s. Oh, and the guys in those early 60s teen beach movies like Beach Blanket Bingo that our local station aired at 3:30 after school. I was the skinny little kid with the coke bottle lens glasses hoping the big boys didn’t notice me staring at them running around shirtless in the summer. I never met another gay gay until college.
bachy
Kermit the frog!
ladron
The cast of TV’s “Flipper” (1964-67) put a strange spell over me (even the dolphin), and Race Banner from “Jonny Quest” (1964-65) did as well. I was very young then having no idea what I was feeling, thinking.
But it all became crystal clear by the time I saw Sam Elliot in “Lifeguard” (1976). Mercy.
peluzo
The 2004 movie Troy. It changed everything
ralphb
That was the best Brad Pitt ever looked.
ralphb
I guess I’m petty old. Mine was just about anyone playing the lead part or 2nd fiddle in a 50’s gladiator movie.
buckeyejef
Ditto on the gladiator movies. Especially Steve Reeves. And watching pro wrestling on TV. I’m 71.
mailliw110
I didn’t know I was gay until my early 20’s, but now it makes sense that I liked old Cowboys & Indian movies!
Major
I’d flip flop between Mike Brady and Greg Brady,
graphicjack
I’m not sure I can pinpoint an exact time or person, but looking back, I think I had a crush on: my gym teacher, the Professor from Gilligan’s Island, Gregory Harrison on Trapper John… I’m sure there were others but those are the ones that I think of off the top of my head from my childhood/early teens.
bachy
My junior high science teacher, Mr. McDonald. One day during class his shoe touched my shoe as he walked among the desks explaining some chemical process. That touch shot up my leg and straight to my groin! I learned some “chemistry” that day, for sure!
Matthewnow
Betty White
deepmasterfox
I’m glad there’s some recognition for the power rangers. Every single one of those guys is gorgeous. But the big one for me was Leo (Danny Slavin). Him ripping his shirt off remains one of the most iconic moments for a reason.
If you’re unfamiliar with that masterpiece, seriously google that up.
Diplomat
Parker Stevenson from The Hardy Boys. Ouch.