Bears gay culture
Published in:September-October 2010 issue.
BEAR Persona is inked into my flesh now. I turned fifty in August 2009 and, rather than marking my minor midlife crisis with an affair (too complicated) or a like car (too expensive), I opted for a tattoo sleeve, which took months to complete. Among the many symbols of sufficient import to me to wear permanently on my skin is a bear paw, a big one covering the inside of my upper left arm. This visual identification with the gay bear subculture seems timely, for 2010 appears to be my Annus Ursi, Year of the Bear. Recently, I read at a manual reception for the anthology Bears in the Wild: Hot and Hairy Fiction, as part of the Saints & Sinners GLBTQ Literary Festival in Novel Orleans. In mid-July, I’m scheduled to read at two events during Bear Week in Provincetown, and in late July I’ll be attending, for the first time, Mountain Bear Madness, a gathering in Roanoke, Virginia, about an hour from Pulaski, the small mountain town where my partner John and I have settled.
Many vertical folks are unaware of the bear subculture. Hardly a surprise, since a powerful majority rarely concerns itself with the doings of a marginalized m
Bear is a subcultural term used primarily by gay men, referring to a subset of men who embrace and subvert traditional masculinity and defy the stereotypes typically applied to gay men, who are usually seen as feminine due to their attraction to men. Bears may be defined by physical appearance, tastes, phrase of traditionally gendered traits, or personal affiliation.
The generic image of a bear is a larger man with a hairy body, usually having facial hair and dressing in a typically masculine way. Bears tend to undertaking the aesthetics of working-class manhood in their choices of self-expression, particularly through their personal grooming and appearance.[1] Often, bear culture is associated with the rural gay society, in which the idea of rugged traditional masculinity is considered both an ideal and a defiance of male lover stereotyping that tends to portray male lover men as overwhelmingly thin, white, exceptionally well-groomed, lacking in facial and body hair, and averse to physical exertion.
The bear subculture celebrates such masculine traits while queering masculinity through the reputation of bears being affectionate, similar to how femmelesbians def
Longstaff, Gareth. "4 Bears in Gay Culture: Histories, Discourses and Anthropomorphism". The Bear: Culture, Essence, Heritage, edited by Owen Nevin, Ian Convery, Peter Davis, Barrie K. Gilbert, Beatrice Frank, Bryndis Snaebjornsdottir, Elizabeth O. Davis, Gareth Longstaff, Heather Prince, Henry McGhie, Ian Convery, Jeff Meldrum, Jenny Anne Glikman, John Kitchen, Jón Jónsson, Koen Cuyten, Kristinn Schram, Lynn Rogers, Mark Wilson, Melanie Clapham, Miha Krofel, Mike Jeffries, Owen Nevin, Peter Davis, Philip Charles, Russell C. Van Horn, Samantha A. Young, Sarah Elmeligi and Tracy Hayes, Boydell and Brewer: Boydell and Brewer, 2019, pp. 45-54. https://doi.org/10.1515/9781787445925-009
Longstaff, G. (2019). 4 Bears in Same-sex attracted Culture: Histories, Discourses and Anthropomorphism. In O. Nevin, I. Convery, P. Davis, B. Gilbert, B. Frank, B. Snaebjornsdottir, E. Davis, G. Longstaff, H. Prince, H. McGhie, I. Convery, J. Meldrum, J. Glikman, J. Kitchen, J. Jónsson, K. Cuyten, K. Schram, L. Rogers, M. Wilson, M. Clapham, M. Krofel, M. Jeffries, O. Nevin, P. Davis, P. Charles, R. Van Horn, S. Young, S. Elmeligi & T. Hayes (Ed.), The Bear: Cult The bear community is a subculture within the LGBTQ+ spectrum that celebrates diverse body types, particularly those characterized by larger physiques and body hair. Originating from a integrate of cultural, social, and historical influences, this community has evolved into a vibrant collective that embraces ideals of masculinity, body positivity, and inclusivity. Notably, the bear community challenges mainstream queer stereotypes by promoting a laid-back, rugged aesthetic and fostering a sense of belonging among its members, regardless of body type or appearance. Emerging in the late 20th century, the bear community has become increasingly prominent through social gatherings, events, and a shared customs that prioritizes self-acceptance and authenticity. Members often engage in outdoor activities and creative expressions, forming connections that showcase their unique identities. Additionally, the bear community includes various subgroups, such as muscle bears, otters, and leather bears, each contributing to the overall diversity and richness of the culture while maintaining core principles of inclusivity and acceptance. However, the bear community is not