Understanding the Bear Movement in Gay Male Culture

Abstract

The bear movement emerged in the gay male culture of the 1980s, but little research on this group has been conducted. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the meanings and functions of bear identity. Six bear-identified men participated in intensive interviews investigating this question. Results suggest that men who identify as bears consciously adopt a masculine aesthetic that signifies values of self-acceptance and maturity. The participants described the acceptance of diverse body shapes and ages within the bear community as leading to positive self-esteem and body image. Results are discussed in relation to clinical and advocacy work. They broaden the awareness of the diversity of cultures that exist within the gay community.

Health Disparities Among Common Subcultural Identities of Young Gay Men: Physical, Mental, and Sexual Health

“…However, one of the largest differences between Cubs and Twinks is in the way these groups engage with the gay community and its subcommunities. Many Cub-identified men take active roles in the Bear community, with Cubs being one of several "Bear" identities, largely restricted to younger men (Manley et al, 2007). It may be possible that within these communities, specific subcultural norms and values have emerged around drug-taking and relationship patterns.…”

“…While at first glance, some of these findings appear to be opposite to those in our study, the U.S. study used different comparison groups. Neither Cub-identified nor Non-identified men were included in the study, despite Cub-identified men existing as a subcultural group in the U.S. (Manley et al, 2007). Moreover, percentages of Twinkidentified men were not reported for drug use or for sexual behavior, thus making it impossible to directly compare each study and to therefore determine any similarities or differences in health-related patterns between Australian and American Twink-identified men.…”

“…Men who identify as a Bear, or a Cub in the case of younger men, tend toward a larger body size and may also be somewhat hirsute (Moskowitz, Turrubiates, Lozano, & Hajek, 2013;Resnicow, Davis, & Zhang, 2009). These men tend to be active as a community (Kampf, 2000), with social groups, formal societies, and dedicated venues catering to this group since at least the 1980s (Manley, Levitt, & Mosher, 2007). As a subculture, many of these men have shared identities around embodying traditional forms of masculinity and resisting stereotypes of gay men as effeminate (Filiault & Drummond, 2007).…”

“…In all, we found numerous health-related differences according to subcultural identity that warrant further investigation by researchers, health agencies, and anyone concerned with further understanding and addressing health-related challenges of gay men. , with social groups, formal societies, and dedicated venues catering to this group since at least the 1980s (Manley, Levitt, & Mosher, 2007). As a subculture, many of these men have shared identities around embodying traditional forms of masculinity and resisting stereotypes of gay men as effeminate (Filiault & Drummond, 2007).…”

“I don’t want to be seen as a screaming queen”: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of gay men’s masculine identities.

“…The reproduction of hegemonic masculinity has been identified in many fields of gay culture, including the gay adult film industry (Burke, 2016); online gay communities (Dowsett, Williams, Ventuneac & Carballo-Diéguez, 2008); in scripts of anal intercourse (Johns, Pingel, Eisenberg, Santana & Bauermeister, 2012;Ravenhill & de Visser, 2016); in gay online dating (Clarkson, 2006); in sports (Filiault & Drummond, 2008); and within certain gay subcultures (Borgeson & Valerie, 2015;Manley, Levitt & Mosher, 2007).…”