Bear Chaser

A bear chaser is a person, of any gender or orientation, who is especially drawn to bears: larger, hairier, and often more conventionally masculine gay and bisexual men. Bear culture took shape as a gay male subculture in the 1980s, partly as a reaction against youth focused and body conscious beauty standards in mainstream gay spaces. Within that community, some people who admire bears without identifying as one describe themselves as chasers or admirers, and preferences differ on which word feels most respectful. The label acknowledges attraction to bears as its own valued taste rather than a fringe one. Bear chasers are common and welcome participants in bear runs, clubs, and other events built around the community.