In the late seventies, gay men in the San Francisco Bay Area who were typically masculine presenting, stocky and hairy met informally at bars and parties. These men began to be known and later self-identify as bears. The men remained in a somewhat secluded group until their status was formalized and celebrated with the founding of Bear Magazine in 1987.
          Since then, bear communities and clubs have spread all over the world. Bear clubs often serve as social and sexual networks for their members, who contribute to their local gay communities through fund-raising and other functions. Bear events have become very common, to include smaller-sized cities and many rural areas. In this episode we talk to Christian and Ivan who are part of the Los Chuco Bears group leadership. They tell us about their own bear coming out story, why  inclusion is important  and why the 'bear thing' has become so popular.

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