Hello Guy,
Thanks for posting this and kindling some fond literary memories!
The Front Runner was the very first gay themed novel I read, followed by Patricia Nell Warrens 2nd book The Fancy Dancer. In this wonderfully written novel, young recently ordained Father Tom is assigned to rural sleepy parish. He meets Vidal Stump, (a self-confident, half Cheyenne, cocky ex-con,) who seduces Fr. Tom and thus begins a wonderfully told adventure that explores the tension between passion, vowed commitments, and love. I think Patricia Nell Warren was the first to portray a gay priest as a main character in a positive light; having an appropriate, albeit complicated adult sexual relationship.
And then there's The Catch Trap by Marion Zimmer Bradley!
Except from Goodreads: "Tommy Zane hates lions, a major obstacle in a family of lion tamers. But Tommy's dreams, and talent, fly higher, up in the rigging with the trapeze. When rising star Mario Santelli offers him flying lessons, it looks like the start of wonderful new life, and to Tommy's surprise, his relationship with Mario deepens even as his skill soars in the rigging. But life in the 1940s forces them to keep their love a secret, and the stress pushes both Tommy and Mario to a precipice. And as Mario flies higher and higher, Tommy begins to wonder if it will always be his role to catch Mario as he falls. A tremendously moving tale, a rich family saga, a wise and compassionate portrait of a special love in a cruel world."
I still have my original copies of both of these books; and am now inspired to do some re-reads!