What began as a predominantly American gay white cisgender male identity and community has grown and transformed substantially since the publication of The Bear Book (1997) and Bear Book II in 2000. Since then bear culture has spread rapidly across the globe and been embraced embodied and transformed into new sex and gender identities beyond the hetero/homo binary and further inflected by non-Anglophonic cultures. Self-identifying bears are “queering” masculinities. These profound shifts in bear identity, community, and culture remain underdocumented and understudied. 

Submissions are sought from every corner of the international queer bear community—personal accounts, private and social organizations’ histories, commercial and media synergies. In particular, empirical and theoretical academic studies which expand understanding of bear identity, community, and culture are encouraged.

Manuscripts of any length will be considered. They should follow the Chicago style guide and be submitted in PDF or WORD format. Works written in another language are encouraged and must include an English translation. Essays or articles published elsewhere will be considered, provided the author obtains permission to reprint. Deadline has been extended to June 30, 2025. Please send queries and submissions to leskwright53@gmail.com .

Les K. Wright (https://leskwright.com) is a gay historian, gay activist, memoirist, literary scholar, fine arts photographer, and publisher of Bearskin Lodge Press. Peter Hennen has described him as a “founding figure of the bear community.” He is the founder of the original Bear History Project and the current president of the Bear History Project International (https://www.facebook.com/groups/345065667129819).