bear community? - my first “bear” post

 

I’m headed for GBBB11 the first weekend of May, but I’m not sure why.

My primary locus of community, so as I envision my life, should be the Church. This is for spiritual and political reasons. But no one person is ever a part of just one community.  And since I’ve started the process of coming out almost two years ago next month, I’ve made some good friends on the Scottish gay ”scene.” These friends were the first people I could talk about my full sexuality with without fear of rejection. That makes a powerful impact on a person!

As referenced by the link on the word “scene,” these people think of themselves as “bears.” Part of this community involves “bear runs” which is something like a convention. But unlike simply saying that “I am gay,” a bear is absolutely a created construct within the LGBT community (although a significant construct, to be sure). What does it mean to attribute yourself to a constructed community? How much commitment can one show to a constructed community? If you can make it up can not you withdraw from it easily? Does discussion of similar sexuality simply make a community? Of course not. Everything is community nowadays - the “gaming” community, planned “golfing” communities… any group of people brings themselves together to create a community. At least Western religious traditions have centuries of tradition behind them. When is community really not a community?

I would not be going to this run if I did not think I would meet some new friends and bond with old or current ones. But how high should my expectations be?

It is now time to paraphrase Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City (in case there was any doubt I’m gay):

When it comes to relationships, I couldn’t help but wonder…. will a Bear run be too much to bear?