Our favourite Dublin Bears are back to celebrate Bear Pride with a loud and proud growl this year. Starting with a party on June 24 in the Wiley Fox and then joining the parade and street party on June 25, this amazing group is sure to provide some much-needed hairy fun.

Save the dates on your calendar and take your claws out because this year there’s no pandemic to stop these Bears from coming out to the streets of the capital and celebrating Pride. Since we know you’ll be curious about what to expect from our beary friends, we asked them some questions for you. Read on to find out more!

How did Bear Pride come to be?

Back in 2010, a few friends who had been to Bear Pride events abroad thought it would be a great idea to organise similar events here, in Dublin. There was already a lively Bear scene with club nights at the Furry Glen and LUBE ( Leather Uniform Bear Encounter). We wanted to encompass this scene but try to expand it to a festival atmosphere. We launched the first Béár Féile, which (very loosely) translates as Bear Festival or Bear Fiesta. We were blown away by the response and have been running this weekend event at the end of March every year, until we had to postpone it due to the pandemic. Our next Féile will be at the end of March 2023.

Following on from Béar Féile, we started Dublin Bears, which is essentially a social group for men of all ages. We ran monthly bear parties with frequent charity fundraisers along the way until Covid hit. Dublin Bear Pride was created from this momentum. It is a distinct event from Béar Féile and is run in conjunction with Dublin LGBT Pride.

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Can you give us an idea of what the atmosphere is like at your events?

Our events are all about relaxing, meeting other guys and having a great party! We have worked with various venues over the years and always try to create an inclusive and safe environment where guys can come and let their hair down, (or feel free to show it off!) and enjoy fantastic pop/dance music from our regular DJs; El Styra, Gerry Moore, Corky, DJ Aggie. Our Bear events attract men of all ages and we try to make everyone feel at home. Getting some Kylie beats going usually helps the party along!

Will you be crowning a new Mr. Bear Ireland this year?

The Mr. Bear Ireland competition is the main event of Béar Féile, so we will have to wait till next March to pass on the sash. Kleber will have been the longest reigning Mr. Bear by then I think as he was elected in March 2019.

And for a personal touch, can you tell me what Bear Pride means to you?

My first Pride march was in 1993, the year of Decriminalisation of Homosexuality in Ireland. That was a major milestone in our LGBT and our nation’s history as well as being a huge leap for me personally. I had never marched in any protest or parade and to take that first step (in every sense) at the Garden of Remembrance was both nerve-wracking and unbelievably liberating. I worked in a pretty homophobic environment in an office on O’Connell St so this was me letting the world know I was here, Queer and not going into work! (although, yes, it was a Saturday so I was pretty safe). I found my Gay home in the Bear scene so to be involved in Dublin Bear Pride reinforces my identity and confidence in myself as a Gay man. I feel at ease, happy and very proud to be part of such a positive and creative family.

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What are you most excited about at Dublin Bear Pride 2022?

I’m really looking forward to our Bear party in the Wiley Fox on Friday night (24th June), where we’ll be boppin’ the night away with El Styra and the boys, but even more so I can’t wait for the parade on Saturday afternoon where we will be struttin’ our stuff in full, blazing colour on top of the Bear Bus!! We hope to have an Eco friendly open topper this year so keep an eye out and give us a big wave.

We certainly share their excitement for the return of the Bears in the scene and if you’re with us in this, be sure to check out their socials to stay up to date with what they’re planning.

The team closed by sharing, “We are delighted to be back arranging Bear events and are looking forward to meeting friends old and new. Dublin Bear Pride promises to be a great weekend of entertainment and celebration. Thanks to all our supporters and sponsors especially Dublin Pride, Do Dublin tours and HSSCU Credit Union. Happy Pride!”