Bear (gay slang)
The International Bear Brotherhood Flag designed by Paul Witzkoske for
Bear Manufacturing
*Bear* is an affectionate *gay slang term for those in the bear communities, a subculture in the gay community and an emerging subset of
LGBT communities with events, codes and culture specific identity.
Bears tend to have hairy bodies and facial hair some are heavy-set some project an image of working-class masculinity in their grooming and appearance,
though none of these are requirements or unique indicators. Some bears place importance on presenting a hyper-masculine image; some may shun
effeminate style and mannerisms although some actually exhibit these traits themselves. The bear concept can function as an identity, an affiliation, and an ideal to live up to, and there is ongoing debate in bear communities about what constitutes a bear.
Some state that self-identifying as a bear is the only requirement, while others argue that bears must have certain physical
characteristics--such as a hairy chest and face or having a large body--and a certain mode of dress and behavior. However, the concept
clearly has certain boundaries of plausible self-identification, and an individual identifying as a bear with none of the usual bear attributes
would not be accepted as such by others in the gay community or re-labeled as a bear-chaser or another subset like cub or otter (see
terminology section below).
"Bears" are almost always gay or bisexual men although increasingly transgender men and those who shun labels for gender and sexuality are also included within bear communities.
Junction City Teddy Bears -- SO! JUST WHAT IS A 'BEAR'??
Most simply a 'bear' in the gay community is a MAN who likes MEN -- he looks like a man, he acts like a man and he wants to be with men --
socially and otherwise. It isn't a term you can define quickly though.
Based on physical characteristics alone, say, 'A bear is any big, hairy, gay, guy.' But this is an oversimplification that doesn't stand up to
close examination. Even in the wild, not all bears are big, and not all big, hairy animals are bears. We all know men who are slender and
relatively smooth of face and body who nevertheless embody the soul of a bear, and whom we am proud to consider brother bears.
Being a bear, then, is more dependent upon internal characteristics than external. The essence of "bearness" resides in the heart, the mind, and
the soul, NOT in the body. A big heart is essential. A big, hairy body is not.
Once you recognize this concept, and concentrate on the mental and spiritual attributes, the attempt to define what makes a bear becomes
much easier. We submit that a bear is:
*Honest and open, disdainful of hypocrisy and deceit.* * *
* * *
*Loyal to his friends, and fierce to his enemies.* * *
* * *
*Secure enough to laugh at himself.* * *
* * *
*Caring enough to cry for others.* * *
* *
*On the other hand...*
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* * * * *
*Those with bulky and furry bodies, but who are shallow and mean
inside are NOT bears. * * *
* * *
*Those who are so insecure that they can only try and make
themselves look good by trying to make others look bad are NOT
bears. * * *
* * *
*Those with small minds, hard hearts, and twisted souls are NOT
bears. * * *
* *
WHAT ABOUT THOSE OTHER GAY ANIMALS??
Ya making reference to Otters and Wolves?? It's all just ways to try and classify guys who just are not the typical gay scene camp followers -- A
Bear by any other name is still a Bear! Otters -- those are the slim, trim but manly ones that you just know can frolic in the river and toss
a bear or two on their asses. Wolves -- now there's a class of men who are just naturally aggressive when in pursuit of other forest dwellers.
You know one when he gets his hands on ya -- and ain't it fun. Regardless of how classified, you'll find Bears, Otters and Wolves all
cry WOOOOF!! when they spot a tasty morsel.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I'M A 'BEAR'??
There are a number of quite easy tests you can apply to check your
'beary-ness':
*
If you've been told you're too straight to be gay -- you might be
a bear.
*
If you pre-fur some facial hair (yours and/or his) when you suck
face --- you might be a bear.
*
If you dig Dolly 'cause she sings pretty and don't notice her
shape --- you might be a bear.
*
If shaving is more likely to involve pubic vs. facial hair -- you
might be a bear.
*
If you'd rather go to the auto show instead of the ballet -- you
might be a bear.
*
If when you and your buddy go camping you pack only one sleeping
bag -- you might be a bear.
*
If you're a meat and potatoes guy and hate quiche -- you might be
a bear.
*
If you'd rather line dance than 'shake your booty' -- you might be
a bear.
*
If you know what your mechanic is talking about -- you might be a
bear.
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If when someone says "Mary" you look around for the woman in the
crowd -- you might be a bear.
*
If getting ready for a date on Saturday night means a shower and a
fresh pair of jeans -- you might be a bear.
*
If you find yourself more interested in the faculty than the
students of your local community college -- you might be a bear.
*
If you read (??) 'Men' and sometimes think even those guys are too
young or too smooth -- you might be a bear.
*
If a guy smelling of honest sweat makes you light headed -- you
might be a bear.
*
If you've fixed something around the house in the last month --
you might be a bear.
*
If you prefer lounging in your underwear and don't own a smoking
jacket -- you might be a bear.
*
If you think pilsner glasses are for sissies and drink right from
the can -- you might be a bear.
WHAT DOES A BEAR WEAR??
Bears wear -- cowboy hats, work boots, denim and flannel, cowboy boots,
chaps, 501 levis, leather jackets, t-shirts with smart-ass sayings, hard
hats, business suits, cutoffs and tank tops -- but look best wearing
nutting at all.
BEAR CODES -- SHORTHAND DEFINITIONS
The 'Natural Bear Classification System' has been in existence since
1989. In the words of the authors --
"Because 'Bears' mean so many things to different people, because bears
come in all shapes and sizes and have different sexual proclivities,
because classified ad prices are SOOOOOO expensive, we (while eating
lunch at a Boulder, Colorado, Wendy's on Thanksgiving weekend, 1989)
came up with this incredibly-scientific system to describe bears and
bear-like men.
"Since we both have interests in astronomy, we are well-versed in star
and galaxy classification systems, which use prototypes to set the
standards for describing things. Rather than just saying something is of
"Type I" or "Type II" (etc.), it is better to use natural features to
describe an object, in particular as a continuum of a range of features.
Such is the case with bears."
You can check the system and even automatically generate your own
personal Bear Code at the NBCS home over at 'Resources for Bears'.
Now with the Bear Classification System you can know that he's the
perfect "B4/5 f+ d! s m+ t r k" with a home page that roars, "Come and
get me!" But what else? Is he a cigar-smoking hussy that'll drop you for
a cub half your age? Or is he the perfect husbear that's just too shy to
say hello?
There's just something missing from the time honored shorthand
definition of a bear. Let's face it, the code as we know it doesn't tell
the whole story. So, a bear with way to much time on his hands (in the
opinion of some) has offered an additional (tongue in cheek) set of Bear
Personality Codes . These codes give you a good indication of such personality factors as: where does he
hang out, how romantic is he, what are his cruising and courtship modes
of operation, does he have age hang-ups, is he a neat-freak around the
den (house), and much more.
the last, but simplist definitions of bears is here:
definition of gay 'bears'
efinition: A gay man that has a lot of body and/or facial hair. Bears
are often considered to have "cuddly" bodies.
in conclusion, i would like to describe what i believe a bear is.i am
including my own personal beliefs in this. there are certain
characteristics of a bear, these include being open minded and
non-judgemental, hang loose, easy going, not plastic or supeficial. so
is an attitude and mind set. that is masculine. they are usually not
vindictive or bitchy,
the opposite of a bear is a twink who may be of tiny stature, not fat,
possibly effeminate, into melodrama, queeny, bitchy behavior,
i welcome reader's comments on this publication.
CONTACT BEARS LEADER IRA FINE.
iramfine@aol.com
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