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30 Hunks from across the decades that made us realize we're gay

30 hunks from across the decades that made us realize we're gay

A four part image of four actors: Tom Selleck, Kurt Russell, Brendan Fraser, and Chris Evans
Courtesy of Silver Screen Collection/GettyImages, Aaron Rapoport/GettyImages, Ron Galella/GettyImages, and Tristar Media/GettyImages

Whatever the style, whatever the era, a good looking man is a powerful force!

@politebotanist

When did you first know you were queer?

Sometimes, that's a complicated question. Maybe there's no one singular moment, but rather a long, meandering path that led you to the life you lead as an LGBTQ+ person today. Maybe it's nebulous, ineffable, and couldn't be pinned down if you tried.

Or maybe you saw Paul Dano in Little Miss Sunshine during your formative years and your type's been emo twinks ever since.

Like many of life's great questions, one X (formerly Twitter) user @nocontextgayy took to the platform to see if others could relate to his moment of "knowing". They asked people to share the moment they "knew", and included a picture of David Henrie as Justin Russo in the Disney Channel show Wizards of Waverly Place. Queer men by the dozens then chimed in, sharing the actors, musicians, and athletes who revealed their previously dormant attraction to men.

Brought to you by those who can pinpoint a singular moment when they knew, here are 30 of the celebrities spanning across the decades that unlocked something deep inside some of us and not just because their performances were memorable.

David Henrie in "Wizards of Waverly Place" (2007-2012)

Walter Emanuel Jones on "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" (1993-1996)

John Schneider in "The Dukes of Hazard" (1979-1985)

Brian Tochi in "Space Academy" (1977-1979)

Kurt Russell in "Overboard" (1987)

Val Kilmer in "Batman Forever" (1995)

Hugh Jackman in "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" (2009)

Russell Wong in "The Joy Luck Club" (1993)

Burt Reynolds in the iconic Cosmopolitan photo shoot (1972)

Gil Gerard in "Buck Rogers" (1979-1981)

Singer Ricky Martin (circa early '00s)

Harrison Ford in "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" (1984)

Paul Weller and Mick Talbot, better known as musical duo "The Style Council" (1982-1989)

Hayden Christensen in the "Star Wars" prequel trilogy (1999-2005)

Jackie Chan in "Rush Hour" (1998)

Actor Jackie Chan

Courtesy of Jeremy Bombaron/GettyImages

"Jackie Chan in Rush hour, he looked so handsome in it akskakak"

Josh Brolin in "The Goonies" (1985)

Chris Evans in "The Fantastic Four" (2005) and Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger in "Brokeback Mountain" (2005)

Chad Everett in "Medical Center" (1969-1976)

Terry Crews in "White Chicks" (2004)

Actor Terry Crews

Courtesy of Steve Granitz/GettyImages

"Terry Crews in White Chicks"

Rob Lowe in "St. Elmo's Fire" (1985)

AND Rob Lowe in "Youngblood" (1986)

Ravishing Rick Rude of the World Wrestling Federation (1987-1990)

Rami Malek in "Night at the Museum" (2006)

Actor Rami Malek

Courtesy of Jim Spellman/GettyImages

"Rami Malek, specifically from Night of the Museum.""

Lou Ferrigno in "The Incredible Hulk" (1977-1982)

Tom Selleck in "Magnum P.I." (1980-1988)

Brendan Fraser in "George of the Jungle" (1997)

Taylor Lautner in the "Twilight" saga (2008-2012)

Jonathan Crombie in "Anne of Green Gables" (1985)

Bruce Willis in "Die Hard" (1988)

Stonewall Brick AwardsOut / Advocate Magazine - Jonathan Groff and Wayne Brady

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Rowan Ashley Smith

Rowan Ashley Smith has often been described as "a multi-hyphenate about town." He loves work that connects him to his cultures as a gay, Jewish, multiracial trans man. Before breaking into journalism, the best days of his professional life were spent as a summer camp professional, a librarian, and an HIV prevention specialist. His work has been featured in GO Magazine, pride.com, and The Advocate. In what is left of his free time, Rowan enjoys performing stand up comedy, doing the NYT crossword, and spending time with his two partners, two children, and four cats.

Rowan Ashley Smith has often been described as "a multi-hyphenate about town." He loves work that connects him to his cultures as a gay, Jewish, multiracial trans man. Before breaking into journalism, the best days of his professional life were spent as a summer camp professional, a librarian, and an HIV prevention specialist. His work has been featured in GO Magazine, pride.com, and The Advocate. In what is left of his free time, Rowan enjoys performing stand up comedy, doing the NYT crossword, and spending time with his two partners, two children, and four cats.