[jellybean]

Or are they, and have squelched that desire by convincing themselves that they're not?

Have you ever noticed that a gay man's best friend will usually be a woman?? I've always believed they are sexually attracted to them, but to admit that would be to deny their homosexuality. This could also explain their fascination with Judy Garland ;)

[TexasCowboy]

"I've always believed they are sexually attracted to them,"

Possibly.
I'd like to believe so because that would mean a latent desire on their part to be heterosexual.
I suppose if their homosexual lifestyle persisted over many years, to deny it later in life would nullify a good portion of their existence.