From the very first time I picked up this magazine i gagged. For two reasons. One: This magazine is divisive, apologetic and patronizing. It's strictly for a sub-set of gay men who describe themselves as "just like the straight people down the block." The other reason is there is large enough market of men out there to support it. Honey--if we're just like the straight people down the block, how come my house is decorated better than theirs?
Look at the name HERO--who is the hero? "We are" the first issue told me. We're better than those other gay magazines and the issues and topic they cover. In flipping through the rest of the magazine I found nothing that enlightened me and frankly I felt like they were insulting me for not thinking the dogma they were tossing out.
You've seen in the other reviews that this magazine is aimed at men in long term relationships. Now for the record, my partner and I have been together for 15 years. Both us believe this magazine forces us into a mold we won't enter. It preaches sameness to the Martha Stewart extreme....Right down to shopping at K Mart.
You know what really upsets me? They make is sound like a common goal of all gay men to become parents...like gay men who adopt kids are some how better than the selfish slobs who don't want to give up their freedom and spend every cent on diapers rather than Key West vacations. Give me a break. I got nothing against folks who want to have kids, but there is nothing wrong with not wanting kids. There have been several articles on this in the issues I've looked at and the essence of this viewpoint is woven into the rest of the writing too.
Now of course you're wondering how can I be so ruff on something I don't subscribe too. I can only tell you that I work in media and am a glutton for punishment. I can spend an hour at a newsstand thumbing through magazines and i look through Hero at least every third issue. I gag every time.
If you're going to consider reading or subscribing to this magazine pick up an issue and count the following...may be they've changed but the last time i looked:
Everyone was white or in a mixed relationship (and that was all about their relationship as a way to racial harmony)
Everyone is "professional" (No blue collar allowed, unless they own the businness)
Everyone wears Polo or Liz for Men.
Everyone has had their rough spots but they've gotten through this (like I need a magazine to tell me married people have fights)
Well...there you have it. I am sure I've made a few people upset with this but i sure better after this rant.
Have a Fabu Day.
Added August 2000: To confirm my perceptions about this magazine's overwhelming desire to make all gay men fathers, see the August 2000 issue. The one with the cover of two daddies and the little blond boy. (FYI--I just get back from a long weekend in San Francisco--a different kind of Daddy thing on Castro Street--if you've been to the bar)
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