Bear venues

This chapter begins by introducing research on LGBTQ spaces, particularly by Geographers, and the importance of such spaces for forming both identities and communities. It notes the similar importance of Bear spaces - for bigger and fatter men in particular - but identifies a lack of attention these in the literature. The rest of this chapter examines Bear spaces in the UK. It shows that almost all UK Bear/y spaces are temporary and ephemeral, despite a desire for fixed spaces by participants. This chapter then suggests how we might conceptualise 'Bear space', introducing the idea of temporarily 'Bearing' space. This chapter argues that this occurs through achieving a critical mass of proximate Bear/y bodies. However, it also notes two additional elements in UK Bear/y spaces. First, the relevance of labelling and signage to help create the feel of a Bear space and to help generate the critical mass. And second, the perception of a 'relaxed' and 'friendly' atmosphere which characterises UK Bear/y spaces. This chapter suggests that this is not reducible to 'masculinity' as suggested by the bulk of Bear scholarship.