HANDSOME AIN’T A LOOK, IT’S A FEELING: A LETTER FROM ACTOR DEVERE ROGERS

by Devere Rogers

Handsome. A word that elicits smiles, grins, and blushing from men who are assigned it and frowns, scowls, and pursed lips from women assigned it. Handsome. A word that people use to describe men who are conventionally attractive or desirable in some form or fashion. Handsome. A word that brings up a reaction from any one who’s ever been afforded that description and maybe even more of a reaction from those who haven’t. Let’s breakdown this word… HANDSOME.

According to the dictionary, Handsome is an adjective that means 1. (Of a man) good-looking. (Of a woman) striking and imposing in good looks rather than conventionally pretty. (Of a thing) well made, imposing, and of obvious quality. 2. (of a number, sum of money, or margin) substantial. Good-looking. Striking. Imposing. Quality. Substantial. All words that we as men
delight in hearing of being used to describe us. These words and descriptions let us know that we are noticeable, seen, admired, and desired. We seem to be validated when that word handsome is afforded to us. But being handsome is more than just about looks, the outer appearance shown to the world. To be handsome is something that comes from within. It’s a vibe, a spirit, an aura that illuminates from the soul and is seen by the world. To be handsome, truly handsome as a man, is when you know who you are in all aspects of masculinity, sexuality, spirituality, and purpose and walk in that proudly and fully no matter what people
think or say. It’s powerful. It’s moving. Its embodiment electrifies those who see it. Handsome ain’t a look…it’s a feeling.

As men, the first time we ever hear this word handsome is as a child. Baby boys and lil man toddlers are told they are handsome by adults no matter the gender. Why? Because when you’re a child, your energy is innocent, pure, untainted. You are truly living in the full truth and essence of who are without the weight of the world on your shoulders telling you who you should be. You’re uninhibited…truly free. That feeling of being handsome follows you in purity, until you get older and start to realize that a shift happens. From purity to maturity, handsome becomes lustful, primal, sexual, intense…adult. We are no longer baby boys or lil man toddlers; we are men with wants, needs, desires, and being handsome we realize, helps us achieve those things. This transition from a child to an adult is where we can decide to use our handsomeness for good or…not good.

The world and society and all its labels and boxes is what makes that decision so complex and complicated. The need to quantify what’s good or bad. Who’s attractive or unattractive. What or who carries more value than others. And not only in the “straight” world, but sometimes even more in our world of queerness and otherness. In a queer society run rampant with “ no -insert a physical description or representation here” we forget to see the core and spirit of each other. We forget to see that we are ALL good-looking. Striking. Imposing. Quality. Substantial. In our own way. We are enough. We matter. We deserve to be seen. We deserve to be heard. We deserve to be desired. We deserve to be wanted. We deserved to be loved. We deserve to be supported. We deserve to be cared for. And…We deserve to fuck and get fucked any which way want to. Because no matter our race, our body type, our sexual orientation, our religious beliefs, our political stance, our gender, or any other label that society tries to put on
us…we all are HANDSOME. Live it. Own it. Be it. Because handsome isn’t just a compliment…it’s an affirmation.

This magazine is that affirmation embodied. As you flip through, scroll through, and swipe through these pages, seeing these good-looking men, striking features, imposing points of views, quality conversations, and substantial stories, just always remember, HANDSOME ain’t a look…it’s a feeling. And just like that feeling, this magazine will live on forever. Welcome to
the world of HANDSOME.

-Devere Rogers, Actor