What is a Gay Bears ?
Meet Gay Bears & Cubs – Free Gay Bear Dating Site
Looking to meet gay bears, cubs, and hairy mature men? Caffmos is a long-established gay dating community where you can connect with confident, friendly, and like-minded men from the UK and around the world.
Whether you identify as a bear, cub, or simply admire the bear community, you’ll find a welcoming space to chat, browse profiles, and build genuine connections.
What Is a Gay Bear?
A “gay bear” typically refers to a man who embraces a more natural, rugged look—often hairy, larger-built, and masculine in appearance. Richard Bulger is generally credited with coming up with the the term "Bear" in 1985. He described a bear as :"a gay man whose disposition is rooted in a subculture that emphasizes male secondary sexual characteristics such as beards and body hair growth"
Bulger with his partner Chris Nelson (1960-2006) went on to create Bear Magazine in 1987 and became known as a pioneer in publishing erotic photography and stories for the bear community. There is some disagreement however whether or not the term bear was down to Bulger. Some believe it should be credited to George Mazzei who, in 1979 wrote an article for The Advocate entitled "Who's Who in the Zoo?". This characterised homosexuals as seven types of animals one of which was a bear.
The bear community celebrates:
- Body positivity
- Masculinity and authenticity
- Confidence and individuality
- Strong social connections
Bears come in all ages and backgrounds, from younger cubs to older, more experienced men. Bears have created their own clubs and events which are run as distinct from the gay community at large. The whole bear scene is a rapidly rising subculture in the gay and bisexual male communities. Its a relatively modern movement that has started within the last 20-30 years.
What Is a Cub, Polar Bear, or Otter?
The bear community includes a range of identities:
Cubs – Younger or smaller bears
Polar bears – Older men with grey or white hair
Otters – Slimmer but still hairy men
Chubs / Chasers – Those who are or admire bigger men
Caffmos welcomes all of these types, making it easy to meet people who match your preferences.
Meet Gay Bears Near You
With members across the UK and worldwide, you can find gay bears in:
London
Manchester
Birmingham
Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
Europe, USA, and beyond
The Caffmos Community has thousands of profiles of bears and bear admirers. Join for free by clicking the banner below.