Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a bear?
A bear, for the purposes of this website, is a large, hirsute gay man. That's the simple answer... it is actually more than that. There are, of course, lots of different types of bears.
- What are the different types of bears?
There are lots of bears, and lots of different type of men who identify as bears. For instance, a polar bear is a man covered in white fur, often with a white beard to match. Some men identify as otters, because they are slender, and don't have much body hair at all. We love and welcome them all... no matter what your body or hair type.
- What is a cub?
A cub is often a younger bear. This isn't always the case... there are some cubs who are older than some bears... it's really how you feel. We won't try to classify you, we just want to be your friend.
- Aren't all bears into leather and S&M?
NO! The bears you see online and portrayed in movies might be into leather, but really, bear interest runs the gamut from plain to preppy to kinky to “way out there”. Most bear clubs (including the HOT Bears) have a wide variety of people, with a wide variety of interests.
- I'm large, but I'm not hairy enough to be a bear.
That's not true! People are all different, and so are the bears. I promise we don't have someone patrolling our events, removing people who do not fit a narrow definition of a “bear”. It is the goal of the officers and membership to make ALL people feel welcome at our events... you might be surprised how well you DO fit in.
- I'm actually not a bear, but I like them.
Can I join the club?
Of course! Variety is the spice of life, and we like all sorts of people. Some of our most active members are thin, hairless people who happen to enjoy the company of bears.
- How do I meet other cubs and bears in the Central Texas area?
The best way is by joining our club! We have several activities planned every month so that we are able to get to know each other very well. Much effort goes into planning events that cater to a wide variety of interests. We do things as diverse as trips to theme parks, eating out, and even have a bar night.
- How do I join the Heart of Texas Bears?
There are several ways to join. You may join at most of our public events by filling out a form and paying your dues to an officer. You may also join by mail. More information is available on our Join Us page.
- I'm not sure I want to join yet, but I'm interested.
Can I come to an event and meet some of the guys?
In fact, please do! We love getting to know new people, and you are always welcome at any of the public events mentioned in our newsletter, the Bear Briefs.
- I attended an event a few years ago, and didn't like it.
We're sorry about that! The officers and membership are committed to making everyone feel welcome and a part of our community. If you visited us before, please try to visit us again. We think you'll find a nice group of guys who are really interested in getting to know you.
- Who can I contact for more information?
There are lots of ways to contact us. Our Contact page lists all of the ways you can get in touch with us. We look forward to hearing from you!