Like many subcultures, the GLBT community has come up with names that are widely recognized within our community but have failed to work their way into popular culture. For the sake of people who are confused by these terms, I’ll show you two pictures. You tell me which one you think is the bear.
PHOTO1: 
PHOTO 2: 
If you guessed that PHOTO 2 is the bear then you’d be correct. What is a Bear you may find yourself asking? In its broadest definition it is the freedom to be comfortable with your appearance and a celebration of your body no matter its shape or size. As a result you’ll often see men who identify as “bears” that are quite large and hairy.
Some – like my friend who I’ve included above – are actually very muscular and project images of masculinity through their grooming and appearance. You can learn more about this subculture within the gay community by linking here.
BosGuy 
I like muscle bears, like your friend, but I can’t celebrate the achievements of a pizza-eating couch potato. You can only hide so much with a beard!
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Yes, Blobby….yes. I agree 100% with everything you said….and it’s not just because you said ‘in olden times’. 😉
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Bears used to be more like you’re friend. I find in the last 5-10 years, people use the label for overweight (read: obese) gay men. That was never my thought.
In olden times (yes, I said that), if someone had called me a ‘bear’, I’d have smiled. They DO call me it now, and all i hear is “fat”.
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he’s a muscle bear
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Unlike most of the other gay “sub cultures” which are more like physical descriptions, the bear subculture really is a culture. Although, in the past 5 years as the bear culture has become more popular/visible and there are now wolves, etc… as Ryan says, many of the “new” members go more for the physical than for the community.
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And I love them big and muscular. There are a great many bears in rugby!
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Now there are also wolves, otters,muscle cub,cub, chickens and a new one call giraffe…
http://davidatlanta.com/2011/09/the-gay-animal-kingdom/
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