Issue #1: 🐻 April Bears + Critical Headlines

Good morning friend. It's Friday, April 4, and we're covering Bear culture origins and April events worldwide. Plus: Critical LGBTQ+ news from global legal battles.
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What is the bear community and how did it originate?

The gay bear community represents one of the most distinctive subcultures within LGBTQ+ society.

What Is a Bear?
A bear in gay culture typically refers to men who embrace a natural, masculine appearance characterized by facial hair, body hair, and often a larger physique. This identity challenges mainstream gay stereotypes by celebrating diverse body types.

The Birth of Bear Culture
The term "bear" in gay contexts first appeared in a 1979 article titled "Who's Who at the Zoo?" by George Mazzei in The Advocate magazine, categorizing gay men as different animals. The bear community truly began in San Francisco in the late 1980s, "influenced by gay biker clubs and created by men who did not fit the prevailing gay aesthetic that valorized slender, smooth-bodied youths." In the mid-1980s, informal "Bear Hug parties" brought together men who identified with this aesthetic. The movement gained momentum when Richard Bulger and Chris Nelson founded Bear Magazine in 1987.

Why Bears Matter
The bear movement emerged partly in response to the AIDS crisis, as some believe "bears came about because HIV-positive San Francisco men looked at extra weight as a sign of health in the mid-to-late eighties." Bears have made contributions to gay culture by expanding notions of attractiveness and masculinity.

Bears Today
Today, the bear community thrives globally through local clubs, annual gatherings, and social spaces. Events like Bear Pride and International Bear Rendezvous attract thousands of participants. The International Bear Brotherhood Flag, created by Craig Byrnes in 1995, features stripes in various colors representing different bear species worldwide, symbolizing the community's diversity. This vibrant community continues to evolve while staying true to its core values of authenticity, inclusivity, and celebrating natural masculinity.

Bear Events in April 2025

Seven major bear community celebrations are happening globally in April 2025:

Maspalomas Bear Carnival (April 3-13, Maspalomas, Gran Canaria, Spain) celebrates its 10th anniversary with 11 days of festivities featuring 70+ events including dance parties, pool parties, and excursions across the resort town. Official info: bearcarnival.com

Lauderdale Tropical Bear Week (April 8-13, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA) offers a 6-day tropical celebration with Bear Village street fair, four pool parties (some clothing-optional), three dance parties at multiple venues, a VIP bear cruise, beach party at Fort Lauderdale Beach, and cabaret show. Thousands expected to attend. Official info: lauderdaletropicalbear.com

Bangkok Songkran Bear Week (April 11-15, Bangkok, Thailand) coincides with Thailand's water festival, featuring a rooftop foam party, Asia's largest bear pool party, nightly dances with international DJs at various Bangkok venues, and the Mr. Bear International 2025 contest finale. Official info: bangkokbearweek.com

Sugar Bear Weekend (April 10-13, Montreal's Gay Village, Quebec, Canada) returns with the "Whipped Cream" theme, featuring parties with top DJs, drag shows throughout the Village, and a traditional Canadian sugar shack brunch (cabane à sucre). Official info: bearitmtl.com

MadBear Easter Weekend (April 18-20, Torremolinos, Costa del Sol, Spain) includes pool parties at Hotel Ritual and nightly club events throughout this beach town. Official info: madbear.org

Bear Festival Milano (April 23-May 1, Milan, Italy) celebrates its 12th year with eight days of parties at Company Club (Milan's iconic bear cruising bar) plus daytime activities including sauna events throughout the city. Official info: bearfestivalmilano.it

Atlanta Bear Pride (April 25-27, Atlanta, Georgia, USA) marks its 10th anniversary with Bear Invasion kickoff, pool parties, club events at various Atlanta venues, and Sunday tea dance. Official info: atlantabearpride.com