Interesting thread with interesting timing.

I've always assumed the "bear" sub-classification was a more user-friendly term for "aesthetically challenged", at least WRT the "Bear's Bar" here. During the summer especially it is the saddest group of pasty Mr. Mooney look-alikes I've ever seen in one place. Ever wonder where gay men go when they are past their "**** by" date (and/or weight)? Look no further. I think the bouncers in the other bars must run a shuttle service for those that don't meet the physical ideals.

I stopped in to a place I hadn't been before last night and shortly after I arrived a group of four older, bigger, harrier guys came in and by the sneers and rolled eyes on the part of the lycra-and-hair-gel crowd you would have thought they had done something horrible. I chatted with them a bit and it turned out they were looking for Bear's Bar but it was closed. They jokingly said, "once you get to a certain point in life, that's where you're supposed to go." Is this what we have to look forward to? But I digress.

WRT Bareback Andy, I don't think he's the voice of anyone save for a very tiny group of self-loathing types. I read an article about him (more like a blog post) a few weeks ago making fun of his new-found admiration for the portly and hirsuite, now that he's become, well, portly and hirsuite. If I remember right, a couple of years ago he penned a diatribe complaining that he hated the NYC pride parade because it was the one day each year he was forced to look at all the "fat, hairy, and ugly". My, my. Hypocrisy and situational relativism from a neo-con uncle tom. Who would have thought?

Am I off topic yet?

How about this: Bear's Bar will be OPEN, and FULL (presumably not holding a Mr. Mooney contest) this winter during Carnaval in Sitges. So spend some miles, get on a plane and join us! Details in my signature.


------------------
-alan in sitges, home of the new, improved Si-Re-Do