Just out., June 02, 2000, Page 37, Image 37

juna 2 ,2000 * J u s t M L 37
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he one tnjism about the bear community
is that none of its members can conclu­
sively decide what is a “bear.” But they
mostly agree that we’re not talking about
the four-legged, fur-covered creatures that live
in dens and catch fish in their mouths. The
bears of the gay community are two-legged,
generally fur-covered men who catch crumbs in
their beards and mustaches.
Hairy gay men were first identified as bears
in 1980 by Dr. Jack Fritscher in the magazine
Man2Man. W ithin a few years, a segment of
the gay male community— men who rejected
the traditional shaved and plucked models of
sexual desirability put forth by the media— had
found a home. The bear community embraces
"natural masculinity” as embodied by facial and
body hair on blue-collar-type men. Bears often
consider themselves both masculine and ani­
malistic, maintaining a look and a communal
attitude.
“A bear, to me, is an individual who is
either hairy or not hairy,” says Ron Morrill, a
Portland-based bear, "as long as he appreciates
the hairy aspect of the person he likes, and that
he’s kindhearted and warm, like most bears.”
That feeling of warmth is echoed in a state­
ment by Oregon Bears board member David
Whitney: “1 have found the bears to be the
most comfortable group of people. I’ve gone to
the bars and felt like a total outsider, and as
soon as I joined the bears, 1 was welcomed with
open arms by a loving family— a group of men
that understood me.”
T
Out of the den
Like bears to honey, men from all over
the Northwest congregate in Portland
for Beards & Roses
by
A ndy M angels
The bear movement has inspired bear clubs
throughout the world, all holding weekend
events, contests, bearhug parties and fund­
raisers. The first club of this sort in Oregon was
Cascade Bears, founded in 1993 by Darryl
Ballini and Michael Goldberg. When that
group disbanded, some of its members took up
the challenge to create a new club, the Oregon
Bears. Now in its fifth year, Oregon Bears has
over 200 members in Oregon and Washington,
an Internet site, and a newsletter, Pawprints.
Some regular events include Paws ’n’ Balls
(bowling), Bears on Wheels (roller skating)
and a camping trip to the Oregon coast.
Mike Ryan, a member of both Oregon Bears
and the Gen-X Bears, finds acceptance within
the bear community and enjoys its easygoing
attitude.
“The bears, to me, have always been a
group of acceptance," he says. "I haven’t fit in
with a lot of the other gay crowds. The bears
have always been very good about being there
with open arms and not judging anything on
appearances.”
Tom Ayers, a self-professed “bear
admirer” and ex-San Franciscan,
believes the bear community is exem­
plified by two ursine concepts: the
bear hug and the teddy bear.
“It’s the same thing. It draws you
close,” Ayers explains. “You end up
with really good friends.”
Brian Hunter is the chapter coor­
dinator for Gen-X Bears, another
group in the Portland area.
“The thing about Gen-X that is
different is that we’re a group of
younger-type bears,” he says, “and the
main focus is to have a forum for
socialization for the younger bear
crowd in non-bar-related events. We
try and organize movie nights and
potlucks, which don’t involve going
out to the bars and forcing people to
interact that way.”
Founded in late 1998, Portland’s
Gen-X Bears is affiliated with a ring
of chapters throughout the country.
The loosely organized local group has
From left: Oregon Bears coordinator Brian L. rubbing
about 30 members.
up against Brian N . and Mikey
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1 • Specials ciay and night.
' • Tues. is Basketti Madness!
• Thurs. is vegan night
• Always choice of meaty or vegan.
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“O n e o f the top 2 0 re s ta u ra n ts in P ortland. ” — O re g o n ia n
H e a p in H e lp in g s ol H c a rtij A m e r ic a n a
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Mr. Oregon
Cub, Smitty,
(left) and
Mr. Oregon
Bear, Mark A.
F in e A m e ric a n F re n c h C u is in e
Chez W h a t?
S-is servinA C ocktails!
1 (Starting EasterWeekend)
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i l l i a
o you’d like a chance
to see the local bear
community in action?
From June 8 through 11,
the Oregon Bears are
throwing their big annual
event, titled Beards &
Roses 2000.
“We have a number of
gatherings or activities
where people from the
local area and out of town
Beards & Roses event coordinator Chris Papst (right) and
will gather to mix and min­
committee member Ron Morrill
gle,” says Christopher
Papst, chairman of the Beards &. Roses com­
Sauvie Island and a beer bust at Silverado.
mittee.
Attendees will also be able to choose from side
Those events include Thursday registration
trips, including group tours of the Oregon Zoo
at C.C. Slaughters and a Friday night Under­
and the Japanese Gardens, shopping at the out­
bear Party at the Dirty Duck Pub.
let mall in Wilsonville, and a scenic tour at the
“The guys are gonna commingle in their
Columbia River Gorge.
boxers and briefs,” promises Papst.
You can also watch for the Oregon Bears
Then they’ll gather as a group to watch the
marching in the pride parade on June 18.
Rose Festival Parade on Saturday. Later that
evening, a special dinner will precede the Mr.
■ For m ore information about the OREGON
Oregon Bear and Mr. Oregon Cub contests,
B ears or B eards &. R oses 2000, check out the
with mistress of ceremonies Snickers LaBarr,
group’s Internet site at wuAv.oregonbears.org or
and a dance will wrap up the night.
call the bear hot line at (503) 240-2813. For more
Sunday activities include a brunch at
information on the G en -X B ears , visit
Hobo’s, a trip to a clothing-optional beach on
w ww.genxbears. org/oregonjindex. html.
1
W h e r e th e a r t o f c o o k in g
warm, rustic & romantic
neighborhood dining
is p r a c t i c e d .
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8338 N. LOMBARD
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2 4 7 -1 0 6 6
dinners tues - sat
503 232-6151
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