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. This is precisely why our club never tried to limit membership to those whose bodies fit some stereotype. 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:

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.

• 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.