Cubs Out Loud

I have been following this podcast for a while. Although I didn't have problem signing up Bear411 (I guess I am the lucky one who slip through the random check criteria), I do feel the pain and hurt JJ talking about. Being a big asian guy myself, I could tell you many times I am being ignored by bear groups. Not to say bears would actively exclude people (that would be politically incorrect); they just ignore my exist. And that's very hurtful.

Those things aside, I have a question for all you guys there. You all seemed to agree that the owner of Bear411 has the absolute right to choose who he want to be on his website. However, I don't agree with that. For what I see, 411 is not a "private club" per se, since a lot of people are there free. Isn't that make 411 a "public space", just like bars and restaurants? I can't not imagine the owner of a bar could turn away people just because they are black, asian, chubby, skinny, whatever. Unless 411 start to charge every single user for membership fee, I don't see why the owner would have right to refuse people to get on it. What's your take on this?

Since Bear411 isn't letting you on, where do you go instead?

El Griff,

I'm going to admit that Bear411 was my springboard into action 'round these parts but since I decided to stop prostitution for college tuition money, I've now moved onto posting serious ads at: bearforest.com, bearciti.com, and beardar.com.

I can see why J^2 can be annoyed by the politics of beardom; but it is the administrator's right to deny access. The whole time I was listening to this podcast, I was thinking of the Simpsons' episode when Homer joins the Stonecutters only to have them kick him out and make the new club of No Homers. Essentially, it sucks. Would I call it racism...well, to a degree...I'm going to go on a stretch here but I don't see the KKK expanding their membership to non-whites. My point is that Senor Bear411 has every right to do what he does...no shirts, no shoes, no Asians, no service.

This was really an interesting podcast to listen to because I am a college student studying social psychology and my research is involved with racism in America. I am Vietnamese, born and raised in California, and I study in Utah.

So, racism.

It still happens and is changed into an implicit "thing".

Dirt off your shoulder!

Here's a question. Is it because he's Asian or is it because he's not hairy enough. Tim, Griff, and I all have facial fur. Could an Asian with facial hair join?

Jeff, good question...I can't speak for all the Asians out there but hairiness isn't exactly in the genes--generally speaking. My version of a traditional 5 o' clock shadow is about a week's worth of not shaving.

Plus, it doesn't even come in as facial hair...more like bits and pieces of facial hair...but definitely not like an old Kung Fu master.

I really wish I knew how our friend over at the 411 was screening potential members/customers but the simplest answer might be the best: bear site for bears as defined by He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named.

I know a Jewish bear person who had facial hair. He kept trying to get on to Bear411 but was being rejected. He then followed the advice of his Latino boyfriend (who was also on the site and beardless) and posted a more revealing picture.

Life lesson: put out.

Mike

And one more thing: I'm on bearciti.com under the user name miguelito. The pictures I added on there are pretty much the same ones I used when Bear411 let me in on their secret club for bears.

I'm obviously not a bear.

Hey, I just recently discovered the world of Podcasts! And I lost my Podcast virginity to Cubs Out Loud--I hope you're happy now. But to comment on the Bear411...I am Asian and I had an account on there a year or so ago and for some reason, I canceled it. A couple of months ago, I decided to reactive it and I got the "take your business elsewhere" email. I was pretty sure I could get on because I had been on before but that wasn't the case.

I'm happy we helped pop your podcast cherry.

I am definately not interested in a bear site that does not include Asians.

I am listening to you Podcast Cum, Rinse, Repeat. I have had the same problems with Bear411. I had to apply 4 times, only post a face pic with facial hair, and lie about my weight. It doesn't stop there. I've been asked to leave certain bars because I wasn't "bear" enough. And this type of behavior will happen everywhere, in every group, no matter who you are.

You do have to find a group and place where people accept you. Thankfully now that I live in NYC, whereas before I was living in Arkansas and Georgia, I have have a groups of people that really have the inclusive attitude.

Love you Podcast,
Aaron