Bear it with pride
With Ani Lamont
Once, in the not too distant past, gay men who didn’t fit the trim, taut and terrific stereotype rarely ventured on to the scene. They preferred the company of other like-bodied individuals, often at private parties or in more discreet — less obvious — locations.
Fast forward a couple of decades and this group of men — known affectionately as Bears — are a subculture of their own. No longer content to be shunned by the party elite, the Bears are now a social force to be reckoned with, with social groups across the globe and memberships that would make most gay pride festivals envious.
Sitting somewhere near the top of that tree is the Harbour City Bears, this year celebrating 15 years as Sydney’s furriest — and some would argue friendliest — social group.
Now boasting more than 700 members, the Harbour City Bears is almost its own industry — producing the annual Bear Essentials each Mardi Gras; quarterly Chunky parties; the weekly Furry Friday and Bears on Sunday, and breakout groups like Syd Cubz and even a north shore chapter.
Current president Jonny Bastin said HCB events are a place Bears, Cubs, Chubs, Otters and the whole Bear family could “celebrate being ourselves”.
“Many members of HCB have had a hard time in the past, not feeling accepted by the wider gay community where the focus is so often on the so-called body beautiful,” he told Sydney Star Observer.
“Many young cubs have the feeling of coming out twice, first as a gay man, and then as a Bear.
“Harbour City Bears is so much more than a social club. We’re now a large community organisation running weekly events, fundraising, promoting safe sex and anti-homophobia campaigns all celebrating the special Beary culture of Sydney.
“Bears, cubs, daddies, otters, wolves, chubbies, admirers and all our friends are part of our furry community.”
It is this focus on grassroots acceptance and support that has helped Harbour City Bears reach a point where it is one of the most widely recognised subcultures in Sydney’s gay and lesbian community.
No doubt there will be many stories told across the table at the sparkling jewel of the birthday shenanigans, the club’s official anniversary dinner, to be held on Thursday, August 19, at the Forresters Hotel, Reily St, Surry Hills.
“Everyone’s welcome to come along, especially new members,” Bastin said.
“I hope to see lots of faces from the past though, because this will be a night to remember the last 15 years, as well as looking to the future.
“It’s going to be a fun opportunity to meet up with friends, celebrate the good things about the club and acknowledge all the work of our previous committee members and all the people who have volunteered over the years.”
The dinner is just a small part of a short but fur-filled long weekend of Bear events planned to celebrated the 15th anniversary.
There’s also a mini Bear Film Festival, boasting four feature-length films and a handful of shorts; a special charity night to raise money for the Luncheon Club; the Crystal Ball which boasts one of the hottest DJ line-ups ever seen at a Bear party; a sauna recovery party and then a farewell barbecue to round out the celebrations.
That’s a lot to fit into just a few short days — but with Bears from across the country (and even some confirmed international visitors), Sydney will need to pop on its best fur and extend the paw of friendship.
And thanks to the effort of the hardworking Harbour City Bears committee, that’s exactly what will be happening.
“Harbour City Bears has gone from strength to strength over the last 15 years thanks to its past presidents, committee members and the many hundreds of volunteers who work usually hidden, but without whom things would not go as well as they do,” Bastin said.
“Everyone having fun and working together is what makes our club the best Bear club in the world.
“Celebrate our birthday — have a dance, enjoy our anniversary dinner, catch a movie or two.”
info: Bear Pride runs August 19-22. Visit www.bearpride.com.au or check out the event guide on this page.
NOTE: Due to unforseen circumstances, the venue for the Harbour City Bears’ 15th anniversary dinner has been changed.
It will now be held upstairs at the Forresters Hotel, Reily St, Surry Hills, on Thursday, August 19 from 7pm.
HCB Price: $69
Non-HCB Price: $89
Tickets: www.daisytickets.com
