It’s a truth universally acknowledged that gays are quick to jump into relationships. The conventions of courting a potential partner are thrown out the window the minute you find someone that ticks enough boxes and pays attention to you. And if he stays long enough to cuddle, then skip ahead five places and add a baby peg to the backseat of your plastic car. What’s worse is oftentimes your optimism overrides discretion as you share this with everyone you know. But you don’t care. What you’re feeling is incredible and everyone who cares about you should know.
You could say the same for our journey with the first issue of Hello Mr. In our inaugural publication, we hear from both HIV activist (and cover mister) Nic Holas, and the team behind The Outs on what it means to put yourself out there. We also chat with Kevin Truong, creator of “The Gay Men Project,” on what it means to feel comfortable in your own skin. Our contributors kept going back to the theme of “potential.” They, like us, hope to project a certain potential in order to gain reassurance from people that they trust. A simple exercise in vulnerability, also experienced by launching this magazine.