Seems a bit late to be acknowledging the obvious, but here goes. Bear magazine has an editorial about how fat guys have taken over the name bear. The magazine isn't happy with this, as they commit to represent only the 'real' bear.

http://thornyc.livejournal.com/487989.html

Quote |

I agree. I have met trim Bears as well as heavy set. Hair and a determined attitude are a must. They are totally masculine and like hot man sex. Generally they are older, but age is not a barrier. A cub meanwhile is a young bear but with a slight submissive attitude in my book. Oh, and by the way, GRRROWL.

Quote |

Geez. I've been saying that for close to 30 years now and nearly got bitchslapped a bunch of times for doing so. It's nice to finally be vindicated.

Quote |

Yea by no means are bears necessarily fat and my b/f is a good example as are his friends that all work out in the gym. It's hair and manly behavior that sets them apart for me

Quote |

The thing that always confuses me about 'bears': on the one hand they like to strike a very masculine pose and often refer to each other as 'real men' (presumably, everyone else is less real?). But then you go home with one of them and what is on their bed? A stuffed bear!

Quote |

There's nothing wrong with the stuffed bear. I have a few myself. What is wrong is how many of them are bigger drama queens and "girls" than the fierce, effeminate flamers. I've had way-butch looking bears give me crap because I'm not bulky or hairy enough to satisfy "their" requirement for being a member of beardom...with voices that make Truman Capote seem like a real he-man and hip action that Lady Kenmore wishes she had in her washing machines.

Bear is not just a look. The girly-men and land cetaceans who keep insisting they're bears need to face the reality that they aren't...embrace what they are instead of trying to force themselves into what they are not.

Quote |

Laughing big time over here, CapitalUncut. But I still say ANY man who has a stuffed bear on his bed is problematic for me. Having said that, I do have two re-done Ken dolls dressed in leather gear!

Quote |

That makes you a Dominatrix Barbie. What color hankie is that?

Quote |

Well I think its sexy when a man has stuffed animals or bears. The same men that drive big rig trucks too.

Quote |