Next Week, COL is off for a week.  Wish Jeff a Happy 30th Birthday on the 29th and we’ll see you all in 2 weeks.

Amazing Weekends

COL News

• Gay marriage no longer in California!
• NYC Gay bar threatened by NYPD.
• SLC LGBT Center hit w/ anti-gay grafitti
• HRC Drops Target and Best Buy

Feedback:

So where has Jon Jon gone? I miss our gaysian cub. He seemed very sweet and adoreable.
You guys rock. Love your podcast!
-Shawn in NH

Tim needs to come up with a COL cookbook. STAT.
-Russell

The cover story of Chicago’s free daily was titled “STR8 Guy for the Gay Bar.” Yes, I’m ashamed to admit that even a free newspaper in a major city would be running such a lame story on the cover. The long and short of it is many straight men are taking employment in area gay bars. I’m not really much of a gay bar sort, but I’m a little torn on the whole concept. Sure, pretty much every person in the service business is just playing you for the money, but straight men “playing gay” is a little different (or is it?). God knows that there are more than enough gay men in the food service trade to fill these jobs, so why are likely gay bar owners filling these jobs from outside of the tribe?

It got me to thinking about another article I read about bachelorette parties deciding on gay bars and some establishments banning them. Being annoyed by bachlorettes is probably one of the many reasons I turned homo and I would like to avoid them as much as possible. I feel that all should be able to go wherever they want, but we certainly can’t go into straight and get away with acting like the soon-to-be married girls do.
-ChiDiver

Topics:

• Str8 Guy for the Gay Bar
• Bachelorette parties in gay bars. -
• The New Gay
• The Huffington Post
• Bearnation.US about to go pay
• Most hated chores

Picks:

• Fu-Ki Plum Wine – Tim
• The Wheel of Time on Audiobook – Jeff
• Mint.com Goals Feature – Griff
• The Other Guys – Griff
• USA Today iPad App Crossword Puzzle – Griff
• From Chi-Diver
• Chinese animation of the Jet Blue flight attendant -

• Blue Diamond Bold Almonds – Wasabi & Soy

Blue Diamond Almonds,Bold, Wasabi & Soy, 6-Ounce Can (Pack of 6)
Price: USD 19.57

1 used & new available from USD 19.57

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Amazing Weekends

COL News

• Recent anti-gay violence shakes Washington D.C.
• Stay to keep Prop 8 alive denied! In effect 8/18, 1700 PDT Proponents do not adequately explain the basis for their belief that marriages performed absent a stay would suffer from a “cloud of uncertainty.”
• Proponents’ intervention in the district court does not provide them with standing to appeal.
• “The evidence presented at trial does not support proponents’ position on domestic partnerships; instead, the evidence showed that domestic partnership is an inadequate and discriminatory substitute for marriage.”
• Proponents claim that plaintiffs’ desire to marry is not “urgent,” because they chose not to marry in 2008. Whether plaintiffs choose to exercise their right to marry now is a matter that plaintiffs, and plaintiffs alone, have the right to decide.
• Proponents also point to the public interest as reflected in the votes of “the people of California” who do not want same-sex couples to marry, explaining that “[t]here is no basis for this Court to second-guess the people of California’s considered judgment of the public interest.” The Governor states that “[a]llowing the Court’s judgment to take effect serves the public interest” in “[u]pholding the rights and liberties guaranteed by the federal Constitution” and in “eradicating unlawful discrimination.”
• The evidence presented at trial and the position of the representatives of the State of California show that an injunction against enforcement of Proposition 8 is in the public’s interest. Accordingly, the court concludes that the public interest counsels against entry of the stay proponents seek.

Topics:

• How long will it take for equality and are we willing to wait?
• Mobile bear sites. Is Scruff really needed?
• NPH is having twins!

WTP:

• Kids are back in school already! – Griff

Picks:

• Hackers – Jeff

Hackers
Price: USD 10.99

99 used & new available from USD 1.79

• The Drowsy Chaperone at Zach Scott -Tim
• Breakthrough with Tony Robbins – Griff

Download Podcast

Most bears are already on Bear411.  Fortunately Buddybear Greg has graciously provided for this members a mobile version of the site.  Let’s take a look at what it looks like on both an Android and iPhone.

Hmm, okay, so we have to hit mobile.bear411.com to get to the mobile version of the site. Or you could just browse directly there.

Okay got the login, nice and simple.  It’s looking a little antiquated but hey, its perfectly functional despite it’s Web 1.0 look.  Time to log in.

Again, simple yet functional.

Oh look!

Mr. Kim: You got a message.
Korben Dallas: Yeah
Mr. Kim: You’re not gonna open it? It might be important.

Oh sure.

Hey, this looks familiar.  Well, it’s not the bottom that keeps thinking about me.  This looks like the regular Bear411 Chat box without Webcam image ability.  Well, I’m going to shoot him a message back with an emoticon.

The emoticon windows looked to be handled differently between Android (left) and the iPhone (right).  I’m actually liking the iPhone handling better.  Let’s check out our Pal Lists

You can switch between your online, offline, and refused contacts. And below that you have images of people who have recently viewed your profile.  Let’s check out who’s online.

Hmm, I can see more men on the iPhone verses Android.

In the end Bear411 Mobile is a very functional version of the site for chat.  However, there isn’t anyway to take a look at someone’s profile.  All you can do is send them a chat message.  I’ll just give it a Meh, it’s alright but not attractive at all.  Come on, Greg!  Bring the site into the 2010’s and show us an attractive site.  Either that, or quit.

Okay, I have two questions, 1) Who uses the notes feature on Bear411?  Leave a comment.

and 2) What do you think of the Bear411 Mobile Site?

Amazing Weekends

• Griff catches up from vacation.

COL News

• JUDGE OVERTURNS PROP 8 IN HISTORIC RULING
• Did Judge Make Right Call In Gay Marriage Case?
• A Brilliant Ruling: Judge Walker’s decision to overturn Prop 8 is factual, well-reasoned, and powerful.
• How the GOP Is Saving Gay Marriage – ChiDiver
• Target apologizes for donation, boycotts abound.
  HRC’s Open Letter to Target and Best Buy
  Losing site of the forest; being too concerned with the trees – Griff’s take on the Target/BB situation.

Feedback:

• Long letter from FurryCajunCub
• I am 32, 5’10”, 150lb and hairy. I guess I would be considered and otter or a wolf or a cub depending on the term that people feel fits. I am not by any means a bear, but I identify with the premise of the bear community and I certainly love a hot bear…I guess you can call me a chaser.
• I have to say, after all these years in the bear community, I watched it transform from a very inclusive group that would accept just about anyone, to a more exclusive group that has its ideal look.
• Discusses experiences at bear runs
• In my opinion the issue is most gay men are not willing to strike up a conversation with someone they do not necessarily find sexually attractive. This issue is worse online than in person since it is considerably easier for someone to close a window or click the delete message button than to actually shun someone to their face.
• I tend to say hi to everyone. Again, try being a guy that does not fit the typical bear mold and see what kind of response you receive. You guys are a prime example of this, not that I love you any less because of it; I have tried chatting with Jeff, John-John (when he was on the show), and thegriff with little to no success….I am simply making an observation.
• Back before there were websites and people would talk to someone without ever knowing what they looked like, this was not an issue. I remember good old BBC and IRC groups where people would just talk to one another to form friendships.
• The bear community over the 13 years I have considered myself a member, has become allot more exclusive and has gained the twink mentality of shunning people. I think it is time we took a step back and remembered our roots.
• Email From Darnell

Hey Cubs Out Loud,

I have a topic for you guys and would love to hear your opinions on this…Moobs. Now if you don’t know what this is it slang for man boobs. Now as a stocky man myself I am a bit “heavy chested” so I have first hand experience with moobs. I have met guys who love to have their moobs played with and other who don’t. So here is my question, does a guy’s moobs equal a deal breaker or are you willing to hook up with a guy with moobs. Also if you have moobs do you enjoy having them played with? Just Curious….

Ok have a great show.

WTP:

• Being w/out A/C for a week – Griff
• Anti-Karen Handel ads in Atl – Griff

Picks:

• Shopska Salata – Tim
• Clear iSpot – Griff
• Pocket Informant HD (iTunes Link) for iPad – Griff
• Write-up from Biggercity – Griff
• Looking for another podcast to keep you company? BiggerCity is proud to recommend the Cubs Out Loud podcast! Your hosts Jeffery, TimCub, and Griff provide an entertaining look at the bear world, and all the topics that link into being larger, hairier, and into other men. The now long-running podcast is hitting its 125th episode, and is a great listen, not just due to the surprisingly high production values. The fact is that Jeff, Tim, and Griff are personable, funny, and downright likeable. Their discussions will surprise you, too, with tangents diving into politics, bear runs, relationships, and everything else that affects us. Check out the link above for their site, subscribe to their RSS feed, or on iTunes!
• Looney Tunes are BACK! Go See Cats And Dogs to see the new ‘toon, now in 3d! – Jeff

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I have been a listener of the podcast since episode 1, and it has remained one of my top podcasts since those early days. Though I do not agree with everything that is said, I enjoy the stories and hearing everyone’s different points of view. While listening to episode 125 this morning on my way to work, I know I am a little behind, Jeff read a letter about bears being the new twinks and becoming exclusive to those that do not fit the typical bear look. This is a topic of discussion that is quite personal to me.

I am 32, 5’10”, 150lb and hairy. I guess I would be considered and otter or a wolf or a cub depending on the term that people feel fits. I am not by any means a bear, but I identify with the premise of the bear community and I certainly love a hot bear, preferably naked, but I digress. I have attended my share of bear runs and am a former member of the local Atlanta bear group. I guess you can call me a chaser.

I have to say, after all these years in the bear community, I watched it transform from a very inclusive group that would accept just about anyone, to a more exclusive group that has its ideal look.

My first bear run was Bear Pride in Chicago a few years ago. Though there were ALLOT of bears at the event, I spent the majority of my time hanging out with two other cubs; because, the bears would have nothing to do with us. We were told by guys that we were too small. Though the three of us had a great time hanging out we all commented that “cubs need love too.” I brushed this off as just the personality of the run.

My second bear run was Bear All in Atlanta and a very similar situation occurred. I roomed with a friend who definitely fits the stereotype which was good for me since I was able to meet some nice guys as they tried to talk to my friend. Again, I just brushed off, but still enjoyed a weekend of heavy drinking and bear watching.

When I started to realize there was an issue was at IBR in San Francisco. Again I went with my bear friend, and again a group of us cubs hung out together because we were ignored by the bears at the event. I was able to make some good friends having my bear friend as good bear bate.

I am not an overly shy person and I do approach people to strike up a conversation. I then decided that there is an area between twink and bear that makes guys like me invisible to most of people in either group.

I don’t think the issue is necessarily that the bear community is ultra exclusive; just like I don’t think the twink community is ultra exclusive either. I know there are bears that like smaller or non-bear men, thank you Griff. In my opinion the issue is most gay men are not willing to strike up a conversation with someone they do not necessarily find sexually attractive. This issue is worse online than in person since it is considerably easier for someone to close a window or click the delete message button than to actually shun someone to their face.

I have been on bear411 since its inception and I have also been on various other bear chat sites. Not that I can say that I have not tried to use those sites to hook up, but in general I love talking to new people and making new friends. I tend to say hi to everyone. Again, try being a guy that does not fit the typical bear mold and see what kind of response you receive. You guys are a prime example of this, not that I love you any less because of it; I have tried chatting with Jeff, John-John (when he was on the show), and thegriff with little to no success. Tim don’t feel left out I just could not find you online to chat with you and I am not a big fan of email after sending hundreds of them a day at work. I figured I have listened to you guys for a long time and it would not hurt to say hello. I am not what any of you consider your “type”, but I feel that I have things in common with you all and I could make some new friends in this world. This reaction happens to me, my other smaller cub, and non bear friends quite often. Please do not take this as me being bitter or saying that you don’t have friends that are not your type; because, I am not upset and I know that you guys have friends that fall outside of the type of guy you are attracted to. I am simply making an observation.

Back before there were websites and people would talk to someone without ever knowing what they looked like, this was not an issue. I remember good old BBC and IRC groups where people would just talk to one another to form friendships. I don’t consider most bear chat sites as hookup sites, but I know many people do.

The gay community has become so sexually focused that we shy away from anyone that approaches us out of fear that the only reason someone would approach us is to hit on us. This is even more so the case for people that post “only looking for friends” or “just because I say hi does not mean I want to get in your pants” on their profiles.

This goes for bears, twinks, and everything in between; there are some of us that just like to talk to people.

The bear community over the 13 years I have considered myself a member, has become allot more exclusive and has gained the twink mentality of shunning people. I think it is time we took a step back and remembered our roots.

I know this was discussed on the show, but I just wanted to add by two cents as someone that lives in that in-between world. This is not something that will be solved by a podcast or that I expect to change anytime soon, but I wanted to let you guys know that it does exist and is more prevelant that you may think.

I love the show and look forward to many new episodes, and for all of us cub, otter, or whatever other names you want to give to someone that is small, sometimes hairy and homosexuals, hello bears.

I ask that you do not read this entire email on your show, but I do think it is an important topic of discussion for the gay community and the bear community as a whole.

Jason

Today I went to HRC‘s front page to see what they thought about this whole Target/Best Buy contribution thing considering that they have ranked both companies very highly on GLBT issues.  I’ll let them explain

Target and Best Buy have donated $250,000 to a political action committee supporting a rabidly anti-equality candidate for Governor of Minnesota, where both are headquartered – a man with ties to a Christian rock band that advocates violence and death to gays.

We’ve drafted an open letter calling on Target and Best Buy to make it right by donating an equal amount to support fair-minded candidates who will fight for equality. We’re publishing it in a full-page ad in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Will you help us ratchet up the pressure by adding your name?

Sign The Letter

Amazing Weekends

COL News
Target Contributes to Antigay Politician
Target/Best Buy Gay Rights Boycott Tests Citizens United Decision
In the Pit: Interview with bear legend Scott McGillivray – Thanks Kendall

Picks:

• Steak Night at Charlie’s – Tim
• The Illusionist – Jeff

The Illusionist (Widescreen Edition)
Price: USD 10.99

170 used & new available from USD 1.01

• StarCraft 2 – Jeff

Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty
Price: USD 59.99

33 used & new available from USD 48.99

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Amazing Weekends

Feedback:

• From the Email

Hey Guys,

Jay from Boston here again.

I was recently talking to a non-bear on manhunt. I asked him what his thoughts were about the bear community and here is his reply

“You kidding me? Bears are nice & friendly, as long as you look exactly like they do. If you’re not a bear you’re pretty much shut out. They always pat themselves on the back for being welcoming and open, but the reality is that they’re the biggest bunch of snobby clones going. Everybody looks alike, dresses alike, acts alike. Can’t stand the whole scene. It’s like bears are the new twinks.”

Also I noticed a clear separation between Bears and Muscle-Bears during Bear Week in Ptown. Why can’t we all get along? The same went for Pride in NYC.

What are your thoughts about this?

COL News

• Super Heroes vs. the Westboro Baptist Church
• Family Battles Fallen Hero’s Trans Wife

Topics:

• Hot Topic: Gay Best Friend (GBF)

WTP:

• TRON Legacy Revealed on Yahoo! Movies – Jeff
• 3D movies – Tim

Picks:

• Archer Farms Fiery Jamaican Jerk Marinade – Tim
• Mango and Jicama Slaw – Tim
• Comixology App – Jeff
• Green Lantern: The Sinestro Corp War – Jeff

Download Podcast

Download Random Act of Cubiness