*This is by no means a definitive explanation of what a "Bear" is, no web could contain each and every definition that has developed or is currently being debated. The following is just an  informational page that contains generally accepted definitions and descriptions for those of you who may just be beginning your exploration into the Bear world.

The Bear Community is a masculine subculture in the gay community. Bears are men traditionally with hairy bodies and facial hair.  Bears often exhibit an outwardly masculine "butch" appearance. There is much debate as to the definition of a bear, with some saying that anyone who identifies themselves as a bear is a bear, and others arguing that bears must have certain physical characteristics.

The bear community originated in San Francisco  in the 1980s as an outgrowth of the gay biker communities.  It was created by men who felt that mainstream gay culture was unwelcoming to men who did not fit a particular bodily norm (hairless, and young). As the Bear movement has developed, it has embraced any and all men & women that admire "Bears".

Photographer and researcher Chris Nelson and his partner Richard Bulger started "Bear Magazine" - originally a Xerox-copied flyer - from their home in San Francisco's North Beach in the 1980s. Richard and Chris took the magazine to a high-gloss format which was distributed throughout the world by the mid-1990s. The magazine's tag line read "Masculinity without the trappings." A blue collar, working class culture with its largely normative style was a big influence, with acknowledgement to other expressions of masculinity such as bodybuilders, or the leather culture. (As years have passed, there has been somewhat of a merging of subcultures from the leather communities and the Bears.)  Together Richard and his friend Rick Redewill, who had founded San Francisco's "Lone Star Saloon" found themselves with a huge success - with the Lone Star becoming "ground zero" for the bear social scene. In its early years the Lone Star was the meeting place for the Rainbow Motorcycle Club. The bar did not play dance music as typically found in other gay bars - only hard rock and heavy metal music was played. After Rick died and the bar was sold, the music broadened to include country, blues, pop, soul and oldies with a base of classic rock - but no disco.

At the onset of the bear movement, Bears formed clubs primarily focused on creating social opportunities for their particular sub-community. Many clubs are loosely organized social groups, while other bear clubs organized in the model of leather back-patch clubs, with a strict set of by-laws, member requirements, and often with a charitable or service component. Bear clubs often sponsor large yearly events, known as "bear runs" or "bear gatherings", that draw regional and international visitors. 

The bear subculture's evolution was around long before the internet  but can be closely tied to the growth of online social networking. Gay men who felt they were not welcome at their local gay meeting places  find easy access to and acceptance from similar people online. (see links)

As more gay men have come to self-identify with bears, more bars and clubs , especially leather bars, have become bear-friendly. Some bars have even chosen to focus exclusively on bear patrons. As bear images have been more accepted into the larger gay culture, and as more people identify themselves as bears, the need for bear-specific social groups may have lessened and some people feel that they are just mainstreaming into their gay community's existing social structures.

As with any culture, some terminology relating to the Bear Community has become traditional. Here are just a few examples:

• admirer - 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) Also often referred to as a chaser.
• bear - a man with 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.
• behr - Guys with moustaches but no beard.
• 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 man sometimes looking for a daddy/son relationship or a Bearcub.
• grizzly bear - an older bear, often with a large, wilder beard - think Grizzly Adams.
• otter - a man who is hairy, but is not large or stocky - typically thinner, or with lean muscle. Also typically identified by an energetically playful and flirtatious manner.
• polar bear - is an older bear with white or gray body hair and beard.
• pocket bear - shorter bear.
• sugar bear - a "sugar daddy" bear; a bear who wants the company of a younger or more traditionally attractive male or "chaser" in exchange for favors/gifts
• wolf - similar to an otter, but with a more aggressive attitude.
• woof! - A favorite greeting sometimes used when a bear spots another man in public and wants to express physical attraction. He will make a growling noise ("Grrrr!") or say "Woof!"