Bear

Bear is a self-description from queer, especially gay, subcultures. It usually refers to gay, bisexual, or queer men, as well as men who have sex with men or are attracted to men, who identify with a more solid, fat, hairy, and often deliberately masculine body image.

The term does not describe a fixed body standard or a single uniform identity: bears can look very different and vary widely in age, lifestyle, and desire. Younger bears sometimes call themselves cubs. Other related terms within bear communities may be used differently depending on scene and region.

Some butches, especially lesbian, bisexual, queer, or non-binary people with a masculine presentation, also use bear as a self-description when they want to affirm their body hair, body shape, or masculine presence. As with many community terms, it should primarily be respected as a self-description and not applied to others without their consent.