I'm keeping my eyes peeled for cubs and otters

Well, there are certainly changes. I'm not certain why there was such a hissyfit over last year's article, you nailed it pretty well.

The only change I've seen in the past year or so is a definite shift in hostility toward the younger crowd, to the point where I've even witnessed people who don't quite fit the bear mold (whatever the hell that's supposed to be) openly challenged by other patrons to justify their presence. That's if any dialog gets started at all, more often there's some drunk screaming TAKE YOUR TWINK ASS BACK TO THE CASTRO. I won't name the venue because it's hardly their fault this is happening.

I find it a little revolting that anyone would get treated like that in a gay bar. But on the other hand, I also find the twink influx a little irritating and frequently obnoxious. More often than not, I opt to stay home or just meet friends for drinks somewhere off the beaten path these days than deal with all the drama, and I wonder how many other chub-slash-bear types are doing the same?

My boyfriend, by virtue of working for a local porn company, got a guest list +1 for Sweat on Saturday night, and we were thinking it would be fun to go check it out, just because it's a big event and should have a lot of energy going. However, neither of us is anything close to a bear - I've got some facial hair going, but he's about as skinny as a Fashion Week model. The comment above makes me wonder whether we'll have to deal with any hostility for intruding upon a "bear" event, and, if so, where that hostility originates from. I have nothing against bears, am in fact quite happy when they show up at my parties, and have many bear friends, but this kind of attitude toward non-bears makes me wonder if it just isn't the mirror image of the body fascism that is so prominent in the circuit scene, which is what I have always seen "the bear movement" as being a reaction against.

The bear mold is getting narrower and narrower every day. I'm on the other coast, but I've been chided as being too *big* to be a bear, too intellectual to be a bear, and too young to be a bear. Sheesh.

I'm a member of Bears of San Francisco, the group that puts on this big IBR wing-ding.

I wouldn't worry about anyone giving anyone else grief for showing up at any open event. As long as you show a little respect, and realize that these are bear-oriented events, I seriously doubt that anyone will be criticized for not being furry or fat enough. The dances, especially, draw more diverse crowds.

Besides, a lot of the big boys are probably looking for someone just like you. It's a bear party, but show up with the right attitude and there'll be no worries.

Dan #1: I can't account for your experience, but in mine, patrons of the Lone Star, Edge, Deco Lounge, Eagle, etc. don't exhibit that kind of hostility towards twinks in an unprovoked fashion. Again, as long as one is respectful, and a little sensitive to the fact that they are in another "group's" bar, he shouldn't have a problem, IMHO.

Come on down, IBR is bigger and better this year than before. Loads of events and tons of dances and play parties.

I think it's rather touching that the gay world seems to be still divided into twinks and bears (how 90s! and where did the circuit queens go?) -- when in fact the fashionable look for hot guys these days is a mix of both: bearded and hairy and relaxed and midsize. Chubby is totally in! I have a hard time finding people who are either one or the other, except maybe behind the Macy's perfume counter .... wait -- I just saw some total beardage back there!

Satellite pudge-parties? Ugh, if that wasn't so funny and if it didn't link to my site then I would be offended.

It seems rare that columnists or poo pushing blog writers actually attend these bear events. IBR, by itself, is mostly tourists and a whole different beast. Whereas San Francisco has a bear dance party almost every week and they seem to get criticized and judged by people that have never even been.

And if you say that bear parties in SF play techno one more time Marke B. then the nun gets it! And I'm not fat damnit!

Rentecca I totally heart you and would never criticize you -- and you're pretty right about IBR (even though you're totally cashing in on it!) Most of my local bear friends are passed out on the sidewalk outside the Ramada or wherever during the whole thing.

How about this: Every bear party BUT Bearracuda plays techno. And Planet Big plays disco. And Sundance plays country.

BUT you can NOT tell me that XXL, Sweat, Kandy + Kuma, and whatever extraneous mess Gus will dream up this weekend to snatch a piece of bear$ pie don't play techno. I've actually been to most of those. Besides I wrote that article a year ago, before your rock night.

OK, I promise I'll freakin' make it to your party someday, already. Maybe when Pee Play plays! signed, proud poo pusher. "I never criticize, I just judge."

hitting the gyms!!!! LOL...that is hilarious! Now I remember why I love you! Hi to the kids, Morganstern!

Oh, I could never stay mad at you my sweet Marke B. Yes, you wrote that bears love techno last year AND in the above: "combating negative gay mainstream stereotypes a la twinky Will and Grace and more on dancing to techno and having slutty fun".

I don't want to be selfish and say that Bearracuda is the only party that does this or that and we're SO different from the rest of the community. But, I really can only speak for my own party and say that we are making a contribution to smash the stereotype that bear parties are boring and limited to only hairy, big guys. There are people that look like you and people that look like me (sans wig) that go.

So, yes(!) come see Pee Play on March 1st or come see our drag show on March 15th with me and Heklina. I could list our entire calendar on this posting but I'm not that shameless (Underwear party on March 29th).

And we're not cashing in on IBR. Bearracuda is on the first and third Saturday of every month and just happens to fall on IBR weekend. OK, we do make more money this weekend and I'm going to buy a pack of condoms with what I make (I live in SF and never use them!).

Love,
Pickle Kisser