Bear community
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The bear community is a masculinist subculture in the gay community. Bears are usually mature gay or bisexual men with hairy bodies and facial hair; some are heavy-set, but that is not a requirement. Bears often exhibit an outwardly masculine appearance. Some bears place great importance on presenting a hyper-masculine image and shun interaction with men who display effeminate style and mannerisms. Other bears do not.
There is much debate in the gay community as to the definition of a bear: some say anyone who identifies himself as a bear is one, while others argue that bears must have certain physical characteristics--such as a hairy chest and face--and a certain mode of dress and behavior.
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[edit] Origins and behavior
The bear community originated in San Francisco in the 1980s as an outgrowth of the gay biker and then later the leather and "girth and mirth" communities. It was created by men who felt that mainstream gay culture was unwelcoming to men who did not fit a particular bodily norm (hairless, and young). Body wasting among men living with AIDS may have been another reason for the popularity of the bear look.
Richard Bulger, publisher, and his partner, Chris Nelson (photographer), started Bear Magazine--originally a photocopied flyer--from their home in San Francisco's North Beach in the 1980s. Richard and Chris took the magazine to a high-gloss format which was distributed throughout the world. Blue-collar, working-class men often appeared in the magazine, which usually did not depict gay bodybuilders or leathermen. Richard and his friend Rick Redewill, who had founded San Francisco's "Lone Star Saloon," found themselves with a huge success; the Lone Star became "ground zero" for the west coast bear scene. In its early years, the Lone Star was the home bar of the Rainbow Motorcycle Club. The bar did not play the dance music typically found in other gay clubs; only hard rock and heavy metal music was played. After Rick died and the bar was sold, the music broadened to include country, blues, pop, soul and oldies with a base of classic rock--but no disco. By then "Bear Magazine" had sold to Bear-Dog Hoffman, who developed the Brush Creek Media empire into several special-interest gay magazines, as well as a video series. When "Bear Magazine" ceased publication in 2000, its former staff members started "100% Beef." [1]
At the onset of the bear movement, some bears separated from the gay community at large, forming clubs to create social and sexual opportunities for their own. Many clubs are loosely organized social groups; others are modeled on leather back-patch clubs, with a strict set of bylaws, membership requirements, and charities. Bear clubs often sponsor large yearly events--"bear runs" or "bear gatherings" like the annual Lazybear event--drawing regional, national and international visitors. And many events attract a significant bear following, such as Southern Decadence in New Orleans. A feature at many bear events is a "bear contest," a sort of hyper-masculine beauty pageant awarding titles and sashes (often made of leather) to winners. Example: "Mr. Washington, D.C. Bear, 2006.")
Gay leatherbears have competed in leather contests, and musclebears have a subculture driven by websites like Big Musclebears [2].
The bear subculture germinated long before advent of the internet, but can be closely tied to the growth of online social networking. Gay men who felt they were not welcome at their local gay meeting places (or who just wanted a quick hookup) found easy access to and acceptance from similar people online. Older gay men were quick to pick up on the online bear community, but bears and "wannabe" bears of all ages are part of it.
The bear community has spread all over the world, with bear clubs in North America, Australia, Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Africa. Bear clubs often serve as social and sexual networks for older, hairier, sometimes heavier gay and bisexual men, and members contribute to their local gay communities through fundraising and other functions. Bear events are common in heavily-gay communities, and lots of flux and interaction occur between members of the different subcommunities. On the IRC network Efnet, the non usablechat room #bearcave used to an example of an internet-based bear club.
The gay bear community constitutes a specialty niche in the commercial market. It offers T-shirts and other accessories as well as calendars and porn movies featuring bear icons, e.g., Jack Radcliffe. Catalina Video has a bear-themed line: the "Furry Features Series." Other adult studios who feature bear-type men are Butch Bear, Raging Stallions and Titan Media.
As more gay men have identified themselves as bears, more bars, especially leather or western bars, have become bear-friendly. Some bars cater specifically to bear patrons. As bears have become more common in the larger gay culture, and as more gay and bisexual men identify themselves as bears, bears have not segregated themselves as much as they once did. Gay bears are now a mainstream element of the gay community at large.
Ironically, discrimination has now increased within the bear community as some men who identify as "bears" or "musclebears" do not welcome larger-bodied bears (see Chubby culture) at their events.
A common criticism of the bear community is that some self-confessed bears tend to exclude men who do not fit their standards of what a "real bear" is. Fat (or lack of it) is a political issue among bears, some of whom see their overweight condition as a form of self-acceptance. Some also note a lack of racial diversity in the bear community, believing this to be a result of a white beauty standard.
There are also many men who have the physical appearance of a bear who would rather not have anything to do with the Bear Community. This is trend that has been growing for gay men with the bear characteristics and particularly seen with men 20-34 and suburban bear men.
[edit] References in pop culture
Though not generally widely known outside of the gay community, the "bear" concept has surfaced in pop culture.
[edit] Television
- On the American television show Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, a stocky and hairy man receiving a makeover was informed by one of the hosts that, "In our community, you would be called a cub!"
- In The Simpsons episode "Three Gays of the Condo", Homer runs into Waylon Smithers in the gay part of town; one of Smithers' friends asks, "Hey Waylon, who's the bear? Woof!"
- In The Simpsons episode "Much Apu About Nothing", Homer chants "We're here, we're queer, we don't want any more bears". When asked by Lenny Leonard where he picked up the pretty catchy chant, he replies "Oh, I heard it at the moustache parade they have every year".
- In the British television show Absolutely Fabulous, during the episode entitled "Gay", the character of Bo (Mo Gaffney) attempts to put her husband Marshall's potential homosexual tendencies to the test by setting him up on a date with a "daddy bear".
- The Kids in the Hall Season 5 episode 2 1994, a skit called Grizzly showed Kevin McDonald being "attacked by a bear" in a gay bar and surviving by flashing back to his Boy Scout training, eventually "playing dead". transcript
- In The L Word, season three's episode 2 (Lost Weekend), characters Jenny and Moira enter a club's "Bear Night" and dance among large, bearded men.
- On the reality show Can't Get a Date, singer/actor James Bradford identifies as a bear (but is shown actively trying to lose weight)
- On the June 19th, 2006 episode of The Colbert Report, Stephen Colbert listed bears as the top threat to his continued heterosexuality, a play on his previously stated fear of the animal of the same name.
- On the 11th August 2006 episode of Big Brother's Big Mouth, Russell Brand spoke to a member of the studio audience and asked them "You're what is known in the gay community as a bear, aren't you?"
- Bears make an appearance on an episode of Wildboyz.
- On the January 28th 2007 epsiode of American Dad, Stan Smith says "Did you know that in the gay community a hairy man is called a bear?"
- In the Canadian comedy series "Chris & John to the Rescue!", during the episode titled "Write My Article!" the two title characters travel to Vermont to participate in a gay bear film festival. Their film entry, titled "Gay Bears Eat Babies", is met with great hostility. Chris and John humorously dispell ficticious gay bear myths.
[edit] Music
- Minnesota indie rock band Lifter Puller, on their album Half Dead and Dynamite, wrote a song called "The Bears". It features lyrics such as "your kisses taste just like Skoal Bandits".
- Mark Weigle included the song "Bears" on his 2002 album, "Out of the Loop." He put a takeoff on the rap song "Baby Got Back" by Sir Mix-a-Lot titled "Buddy Got Gut," on his 2005 album, "Soulsex."
- A full-scale music festival of musicians identified as bears, called Bearapalooza". was started by musician Freddy Freeman in New York City in 2002. [3] It has since travelled to Seattle, Washington, Dade City, Florida, and Philadelphia; its current homebase is Nashville, Tennessee.
British rock band 'Radiohead' on their album titled 'Amnesiac' contains a track entitled 'Hunting Bears'
[edit] Books
- Chris Nelson's original San Francisco Bear Magazine photograph collection, which first depicted bearish men from Bear Magazine are collected in The Bear Cult: Photographs by Chris Nelson (1992, ISBN 0-85449-161-9) from Gay Men's Press, London.
- Les K. Wright edited two nonfiction anthologies, The Bear Book: Readings in the History and Evolution of a Gay Male Subculture (1997, ISBN 1-56023-890-9), and The Bear Book 2 (2001, ISBN 1-56023-165-3), both from Haworth Press.
- Ray Kampf authored The Bear Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide for Those Who Are Husky, Hairy and Homosexual, and Those Who Love 'Em (2000, ISBN 1-56023-997-2). The Bear Handbook website
- Ron Suresha authored a 2002 nonfiction anthology, Bears on Bears: Interviews & Discussions (ISBN 1-55583-578-3), 25 dialogues with 57 bear-identified men and bear-lovers from around the world, including interviews with comedian Bruce Vilanch, porn model Jack Radcliffe, and Survivor star Richard Hatch. Suresha edited two fiction anthologies, Bearotica: Hot, Hairy, Heavy Fiction (2002, ISBN 1-55583-577-5), and Bear Lust: Hot, Hairy, Heavy Fiction (2004, ISBN 1-55583-818-9), also published by Alyson Publications
- Jonathan Cohen authored a 2003 novel Bear Like Me (ISBN 1-56023-418-0), Southern Tier Editions
- In the book I'm A Believer by Jessica Adams (ISBN 0-312-32107-4), one of the central characters is a bear.
- PJ Gray authored a 2005 cookbook, More Bear Cookin': Bigger and Better (ISBN 1-56023-326-5), illustrated by Terry J; a revision of the 2003 book, Bear Cookin': The Original Guide to Bear Comfort Foods by PJ Gray and Stanley Hunter: both published by Harrington Park Press
- In Wayne Hoffman's 2006 novel, Hard, the central character is a bear.
[edit] Periodicals
- In her April 2002 Village Voice column, sexuality advocate and author Tristan Taormino unpacked some aspects of the subculture.
- In August 2003, weblogger Andrew Sullivan acknowledged himself a bear in an article on the bear community for Salon.com.
- A Bear's Life 2005, magazine, Bear Brother's Enterprises Ltd. [4]
[edit] Films
- Cachorro (Bear Cub), dir. Miguel Albaladejo, Spain, 2004 - IMDb page--a drama about an urban bear who parents his nephew when the boy's mother goes to jail.
- A Dirty Shame, dir. John Waters, U.S., 2004--a satirical film that includes a bear family: "Papa Bear," "Mama Bear," and "Baby Bear."
Many short films about bears can be seen in film festivals (gay/queer film festivals as well as local/international film festivals), including:
- Men on Fur on Men, dirs. Martin Borden and Clark Niklolai, Canada, 2003, miniDV, 8 mins.
- A Bear’s Story, dir. Vincent Mtzlpick, US, 2003, video, 21 mins Website.
- Porn Proof, dir. Chris Street, Canada, 2003, miniDV, 3 mins.
- More Than Hair Care Products, dir. Pendra Wilson, Canada, 2003, miniDV, 5 mins.
- Hard Fat, dir. Frederic Moffet, Canada, 2001, video, 23 mins.
- Lazy Bear 2002, dir. Greg Garcia, US, 2002, DVD, 18 mins.
- Making of “A Bear’s Story”, dir. Village TV, US, 2003, video, 7 mins.
- My Heart the Cook, dirs. Jerry McCadden and Clark Nikolai, Canada, 2001, miniDV, 2 mins.
- 30 Bears in a Bathtub, filmed by Jonathan Robinson, and features the Manbears group in Manchester. 12 minutes.
Bear adult movie actors of note include Hank Hightower, Buster, Mickey Squires, Jack Radcliffe, Dean Peters, and Steve Hurley. Musclebear actors appear in films issued by COLT Studio Group and Raging Stallion. Catalina Video has issued films in its "Furry Features Series" such as "Bear Country" (with Steve Hurley), "Bear Chested" (with Barry Barrett), and "Bear Bust" (with Paul Gator); a tie-in with its "Generation Gap Series" includes "Junior Meets the Bear Patrol" (with Damien).
[edit] Other media
- Steve C from the Opie & Anthony show is said to look like a bear that 'enjoys a deep man kiss' from time to time. A popular sound clip on the show is Steve saying "grrr." Jim Norton (comedian) is credited with originating this persona.
- Perhaps the earliest reference to beardom in pop culture may be in a fake commercial on The Firesign Theatre's Everything You Know Is Wrong album: "See that bear, lapping up that good ol' country water? Kinda makes a big, hairy guy like me thirsty. That's why I like to wrap my lips around the tall, sweaty, head of a bottle of good ol' country Bear Whiz Beer! Like my daddy said, 'Son, it's in the water! That's why it's yellow!' "
[edit] Terminology
Some terminology relating to the bear community includes:
- admirer - a term that refers to someone who is not a bear, cub, or otter, but is sexually or romantically attracted to them (this term is often used in various communities to describe an outsider who has sexual attraction to people within that community) Also often referred to as a chaser.
- bear - a man with a beard or goatee, typically with a hairy chest and body and a stocky or heavyset build; often older (or older looking) and displaying a masculine appearance.
- bear run - a gathering or circuit party for bear and cub types.
- behr - Guys with moustaches but no beard.
- cub - a younger (or younger looking) version of a bear, typically but not always with a smaller frame. The term is sometimes used to imply the passive partner in a relationship. May also refer to recently out homosexual men who may fit into the characteristics of a bear. May not be as hairy but generally has facial hair.
- daddybear - is an older more husky guy sometimes looking for a daddy/son relationship or a Bearcub.
- grizzly bear - an older bear, often with a large, wilder beard - think Grizzly Adams.
- muscle bear (or musclebear) - a man who identifies as being a bear, sporting a beard or goatee, hairy body, and is generally muscular.
- muscle cub (or musclecub) - a younger (or younger looking) version of a muscle bear, or a man who identifies as being a musclebear but is less muscular and/or less hairy.
- otter - a man who is hairy, but is not large or stocky - typically thinner, or with lean muscle. Also typically identified by an energetically playful and flirtatious manner.
- panda chub - A bear of east Asian descent.
- polar bear - is an older bear with white or grey body hair and beard.
- pocket bear - shorter bear.
- sugar bear - a "sugar daddy" bear; a bear who wants the company of a younger or more traditionally attractive male or "chaser" in exchange for favors/gifts
- wolf - similar to an otter, but with a more aggressive attitude OR an older otter, with grey hair.
- woof! - A greeting sometimes used when a bear spots another bear in public and wants to express physical attraction. He will make a growling noise ("Grrrr!") or say "Woof!"
[edit] Bear codes
"Bear codes" are sometimes used in e-mail (often as part of a signature block), web postings, and online profiles to identify bear-related attributes of the author or poster. See, e.g., "The Bear Codes" on the Resources for Bears Web site. A sample bear code is:
- B4 s- m g++ w d+c t+ f+ k+ r e+(+?)
Bear Code may be the earliest example (1989) of Internet self-classification codes. Familiarity with this classification system is concentrated in the subcommunity of bears who were early adopters of Internet communications, and is not widespread within the general community.
[edit] See also
- Homosexuality
- Masculinity
- Homomasculinity
- Leather subculture
- Chubby culture
- Sexual orientation
- Normal, Ohio
- Facial hair
- Chest hair
- Ron Suresha, author, Bears on Bears; and editor, Bearotica & Bear Lust
[edit] External links
- Bear community at the Open Directory Project (suggest site)
- Camille Paglia's commentary on bears for Salon
- "And bears, oh my!" Tristan Taormino's article for the Village Voice
- "I am bear, hear me roar," Andrew Sullivan's article for Salon
- Controversy over evolution of the bear movement
- "A gay man who identified himself as a bear later in life" Dean Basler's Yahoo 360 blog
