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Am I allowed to have a crush on Rachel Maddow?

Am I allowed to have a bit of a crush on Rachel Maddow?

I mean, there's not a law against it and several female friends assure me I'm not alone. But if you're a guy and you hit on a woman you know is a lesbian, that's creepy. If you know a celebrity is a lesbian but you find yourself thinking they're dreamy, is that an involuntary reflex or simple masochism?

But then, if every man in America had to feel weird about having a crush on any celebrity who wouldn't be interested in him, what would be the point?

I've only really had a crush on one lesbian who I knew personally my whole life - and I honestly didn't realize she was a lesbian. I've dated bisexual women, but since they also liked me I didn't feel weird about it.

If it makes it any less weird, I think it's because I think she's very smart and funny (first out lesbian to win a Rhodes Scholarship -- seriously) not because she's necessarily my type.

I do get crushes on brainy women who aren't really my type all the time. When I was a kid watching Nick News I was sort of smitten with Linda Ellerbee, then in her late forties/early fifties.

Years later I saw her speak at a journalism conference -- she was wearing a hoodie and red Chuck Taylors -- and it all came back.

Maddow's sexuality makes the question a little more odd.

I mean -- there are plenty of American men who like to watch girls kiss.

But how many would get as excited just to have a great conversation with a witty, whipsmart lesbian?

It is all very confusing.