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Podcasts

COL129: The Heterophobic City

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A quick round-up of this week’s homo-news and a spattering of feedback lead us into discussing the ban on gay marriage in California, straight guys working in gay bars, the trend of bachorlette parties being held in gay bars and our most hated chores.

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.

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Amazing Weekends

COL News

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:

Picks:

  • Blue Diamond Bold Almonds – Wasabi & Soy

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Podcasts

COL128: Unlawful proposition

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The recent denial of a stay in California’s Prop 8 case gets us talking about the quest for equality, while recent violence in DC gives us a reason to worry. We also get into a quick round-up of mobile bear sites…and…Neil Patrick Harris is having twins!

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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!

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WTP:

  • Kids are back in school already! – Griff

Picks:

  • Hackers – Jeff

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The Mobile Bear: Bear411

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If you watch the most wanted gadgets on Tom’s Top 5 or the most popular gadgets on CNET’s Top 5, you will find that the most popular items to have or want is a smartphone.  Android is everywhere but the iPhone is still on top.  What’s a bear to do with these phones?  There’s of course Grindr and the new Scruff App but that’s not available on all phones.  When in doubt, it’s always good to hit up the web on these phones and access the bear site that you’re already on.

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.

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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.

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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.

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Again, simple yet functional.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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

Podcasts

COL127: Homorobotic Moobs

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We get a bit serious this week discussing the homosexual agenda, gay marriage, the Target boycott and discrimination by the bear community.

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Amazing Weekends

  • Griff catches up from vacation.

COL News

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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