“These men aren’t bears…They are just chubby.”

Those were the kind of comments that flooded a viral video we posted recently. An irony, given that the video was about body inclusivity. But the gay community has always been unapologetically vocal, even if it’s at the expense of others feelings.

At Dear Straight People, we are dedicated to shining a spotlight on queer stories and events in Asia. When we stumbled upon a Mr Bear pageant in Bangkok, we saw an opportunity to amplify their message through a vertical video. The video quickly went viral, amassing over 200k views on Instagram and 150k views on Facebook.

But amidst the viral buzz, dissenting voices emerged. Who could have anticipated that hairless bears would become such a contentious issue within the gay community?

Dear Straight People,

In the gay world, ‘bears’ don’t actually refer to those furry animals you see on National Geographic.

In gay slang, ‘bears’ refer to a subculture within the gay community that typically consists of larger, hairy men. The term can encompass a wide range of appearances. But generally, bears are characterised by their ruggedness and affection for their natural attributes.

While its exact origins are a subject of heavy contention, self-identifying bears were widespread by the late 1980s. In fact, a ‘Bear Magazine’ was founded in 1987.

The Origins Of Gay Bears

Bear culture traces its origins back to the United States, evolving from a complex interplay of factors. 

In the broader context of mainstream gay culture, two distinct archetypes often take centre stage: the chiselled, muscular jocks and the slender, hairless twinks.

Amidst this landscape, a new identity began to take shape. Men who defied these conventional stereotypes – those who were larger, hairier, and often hailed from rural areas – began to embrace the label of “bears,” forging close-knit communities in the process.

As the term gained traction and widespread usage, bear culture evolved into a sanctuary for those who felt marginalised by the idealised image of urban gay life.

Mister Bear Pageant – Redefining Gay Bears

From its humble origins in the United States, the concept of bears has since spread globally, with bear communities and events now found across the globe. One of these events is the Mister Bear International Pageant, which seeks to redefine male beauty. 

This groundbreaking competition boldly challenges conventional notions of what it means to be a bear. Forget size, hair or even sexuality. Everyone, including straight men, are welcome to join as long as they embody what it means to be a bear at heart. This means someone who exhibits the spirit and camaraderie of bearhood. In doing so, they are boldly redefining what it means to be a bear in the modern era.

Set against the vibrant backdrop of Bangkok’s Songkran Festival, the upcoming finals of the Mister Bear International Pageant will see 30 bears from across the globe compete for the title of Mister Bear International 2024.

Despite the pageant’s noble intentions, not everyone embraces their progressive stance.

A Bear At Heart

A quick glance at the comments on our video reveals one commonality; the backlash against the hairless bears came primarily from Westerners. This reaction is understandable, seeing as the term originated from the West. Hence, it’s natural for them to be more of a stickler for the traditional definition of a bear

However, terms evolve over time, and bear culture is no exception. 

Instead of arguing over the definitions of a bear, the real question to consider is what does it actually mean to be a bear. While traditionally associated with hairiness, the essence of being a bear lies in embracing one’s natural self, irrespective of prevailing beauty standards.  

In Asian cultures, the concept of a hairless bear is not only valid but necessary. Many Asian men naturally lack body hair. Asian cultures also tend to favour hairless bodies. 

To exclude hairless men from the bear community is to perpetuate exclusivity and undermine the very essence of what being a bear is truly about. At its core, bear culture represents one of the earliest body positivity movements.

The crux of being a bear lies in being comfortable with one’s appearance. If a hairless larger man relates to bear culture, his embrace of body positivity should be celebrated, not ridiculed.

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