Mark Radcliffe: How Kinky

"There is a whole chapter on the Kinks' 'See My Friends' in Reelin' in the Years which is used for handy diversions about schoolmates and Rupert annuals, but doesn't mention once that it is the first gay hit single. Quite likely Radcliffe knew this, but didn't want to get all heavy on us, didn't think he was a good enough writer to handle the subject, and that's a shame..."

Bob Stanley reviews Reelin' In The Years by Bob Stanley for The Guardian.
In Radcliffe's defence 'See My Friends' is so coded and closeted it's only "the first gay hit single" if you've read Ray Davies saying it was about him longing to be gay.
So what whas "the first gay hit single"?
Maybe this - 'The Little White Cloud That Cried' by Johnnie Ray.