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[[Image:Int_Bear_Brotherhood_Flag.gif|thumb|300px|right|The International Bear Brotherhood Flag]]
The '''bear community''' is a [[masculinist]] subculture in the [[gay community]]. Bears are usually mature [[gay]] or [[bisexuality|bisexual]] men with hairy bodies and [[facial hair]]; some are [[overweight|heavy-set]], but that is not a requirement
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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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 ''[http://www.southerndecadence.net/ 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.") [[Image:DCBear.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Mr. DC Bear Cub 2006 and Mr. DC Bear 2006.]] Gay leatherbears have competed in leather contests, and musclebears have a subculture driven by websites like Big Musclebears [http://www.bigmusclebear.com].
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
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 [[Internet Relay Chat|IRC]] network [[Efnet]], the non usable[[chat room]] #bearcave used to an example of an internet-based bear club.
The gay bear community constitutes a minor commercial market. It offers [[T-shirt]]s
As more gay men have identified as bears, more [[bar (establishment)|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 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.
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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 bear-identified men 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
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.
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== Terminology ==
{{unreferenced|date=October 2006}}
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 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
*''
*''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!" == Bear codes ==
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Bear Code may be the earliest example (1989) of [[:Category:Internet self-classification codes|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.
== See also ==
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== External links ==
<!-- do not link chat sites and bear clubs here per Wikipedia policy on External links. If you *really* feel something needs to be linked here, bring it up on the talk page first. Thanks! -->
* {{dmoz|Society/Gay,_Lesbian,_and_Bisexual/Gay_Men/Bears/|Bear community}}
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