Tag Archives: COL818

Podcast

COL821: The Decline of Bear Culture?

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In this episode of Cubs Out Loud, the guys return to a familiar topic to give it a deeper look. After recently discussing the future of bear runs (see COL818), new developments and losses to the bear community at large give the cubs reason to readdress this uncertainty. Taking time to deliberate the history and potential decline of bear culture, listen in as the guys discuss what the future holds for the community. Is it truly dying out or is it shifting and molding into something new.

Show Topics

In episode 818, we talked about the future of bear runs here in the US. In the past couple of weeks, we found out that another bear run is coming to an end. A tech founder from the earliest days for the bear online culture foundation left this mortal coil. 

Recently some were informed of the passing of one of the founders of the Bear Mailing List, aka the infamous BML in 1986. For those that don’t know, 

The Bears’ Mailing List (aka BML) is an Internet mailing list in digest format for gay and bisexual men who are bears themselves and for those who enjoy the company of bears. It is hosted by Roger Klorese and Henry Mensch. The BML is designed to be a forum to bring together folks with similar interests for conversation, friendship and sharing of experiences. Steve Dyer and Brian Gollum started the mailing list in  August 1988, and since then it has grown to a community of more than 1400 men (and a few women) world-wide.  On average, a new digest 20-30K bytes long arrives via email every other day or so. Source: http://www.qrd.org/qrd/electronic/email/bears 

As founders and developers leave our lives, are we seeing the decline of Bear Culture at large? As we are facing an aging population, the question begs what of the Bear Culture at large? Or is this only happening here in the United States? Perhaps we’re entering a new chapter where things will be different than before

Does the Bear pride flag have meaning anymore? Does the return of the Bear History Project foretell that we need to document and archive our community before it’s gone?

 

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Podcast

COL818: The Future of Bear Runs

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In this episode of Cubs Out Loud, the guys talk about the future of bear runs. With the community being around for almost 40 years, the cubs debate the number and need for these social gatherings that have been a pillar of beardom for quite some time. Are they still serving a purpose or will the future present the end for these events?

Show Topics

It’s 2026 and we’re coming up on 40 years of the Bear community. Early on we adopted the biker and leather culture aspects of gatherings called ‘runs’. And yes, bears are not necessarily known for running…more like wandering and grazing. So it’s five years after the world wide pandemic shutdown. Is there a future for bear runs? And if so, is it on the rise, a decline, or have they flatlined?

Here are some questions to consider:

  • How many are there now?
  • Who is attending?
  • Are they affordable?
  • What purpose do they serve now?

 

 

 

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