Bear community

The bear community is a subculture in the gay community. Bears are gay men with stocky or heavyset builds, and usually have hairy bodies and facial hair. Bears often exhibit an outwardly masculine appearance. Some bears place great importance on presenting a hyper-masculine image and shun interaction with men who display effeminate style and mannerisms. Bears are typically contrasted with twinks.

Terminology

Some terminology relating to the bear community includes:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• bear - a man with a beard or van Dyke, typically with a hairy chest and body and a stocky or heavyset build; often older (or older looking) and displaying a masculine appearance and mannerisms.
• chaser - 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).
• 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.
• daddybear - is an older more husky guy sometimes looking for a daddy/son relationship or a Bearcub.
• muscle bear - a muscular bear.
• muscle cub - a muscular cub.
• otter - a man who is hairy, but is not large or stocky - typically thinner, or with lean muscle.
• papa bear - see daddybear
• polar bear - is an older guy with white or grey fur/beard.
• pocket bear - shorter bear.
• pocket protector - taller bear.
• manatee - heavyset, hairless bear