Making friends.

You probably wouldn't be surprised to meet a gay man in San Francisco's historic Castro District. But you might be surprised if one approached you just to say "Hi."

Hoping to build a "friendlier, healthier gay community," the San Francisco Gay Men's Community Initiative has launched the "Say 'Hi' to a Gay Guy" campaign, in which groups of gay men wander through the Castro handing out cards that read, I'M NOT TRYINC TO PICK YOU UP! I JUST WANT TO SAY "HI." According to Mark Rhoades, 37, who helped launch the project, many gay men feel disconnected from the community, which can lead to unsafe sex, substance abuse, and suicide. By helping them feel as if they belong, they, hopefully, will take better care of themselves and each other, he said.