Discovering Bear Studies

The Atelier Genre(s) et Sexualité(s) is pleased to open its Autumn 2026 Seminar Series with Discovering Bear Studies, an event organised as part of Belgium Bearpride.
 

Discovering Bear Studies

While the general public has come to recognize the bear community as one of the better-known gay subcommunities since its rise in the 80’s, it has only recently become the subject of proper academic attention beyond the establishing works of Les Wright (1997). Interestingly, this happens at a moment where more and more bear communities in North America and Europe redefine their identities, attempting to address pressing questions on gender expression, origin-based discrimination, social involvement and relationships to queerness in general. This conference will outline the field of Bear studies through the work of those committed to shaping them, from community organizers on the ground to first-rank scholars. As such, it will introduce the general public to those work while considering what bear communities have done, and currently do, to contemporary masculinities and gay identities.

What Is A Bear? Bear Studies from ‘Bears’ to ‘Bear-y Guys’ — Nicholas McGlynn (University of Brighton)

Abstract: This presentation provides an overview of research and scholarship on bears, or ‘Bear Studies’, from both inside and outside the academy. It then details McGlynn’s research with Les K. Wright in his Bear History Project archives. Drawing on their joint work together, the presentation showcases transformations in the bear phenomenon since the 1980s, and indicates key factors contributing to its geographic expansion around the world, and its historical development into the present day.
Bio: Nick McGlynn is a researcher and lecturer in Human Geography at the University of Brighton (UK), specialising in LGBTQ+ equalities and communities. For the past 8 years he has been studying the spaces and histories of the GBQ men’s bear community in the UK and the USA.
 

15 years of Belgium Bearpride. Origins and history — Dimitri De Vreeze (Belgium Bearpride)

Abstract: This presentation aims to provide an insight into why and how Belgium Bear Pride originated. Starting from a small event that immediately burst out of its suspenders, the bear community grew over the years. It gave a place and a voice to bears in a broad rainbow spectrum.
Bio: Dimitri De Vreeze has been a pillar of the Belgian gay and fetish communities for over 20 years. Once co-owner of the iconic Duquesnoy cruising bar, he presided over the MSC leather club before co-founding the Belgium Bearpride in 2010. Acting as president from 2010 to 2023, he developed it as a driving force in European bear communities with a strong stance on social involvement and links to art practices.
 

Bears, Dating Apps and Body Image — Arnau Roig-Mora (Universitat Pompeu Fabra)

Abstract: In the digital age, queer life has rapidly transitioned from physical enclaves to geolocated screens, fundamentally reshaping how identity, desire, and body image are negotiated. This talk explores these dynamics within the bear community building upon research regarding homomasculinities, and discussing the findings from a recent study exploring the contemporary bear scene in Spain in which users of dating apps navigate their body image and belonging to the community.
Bio: Arnau Roig-Mora holds a PhD in Media and Communications with a minor in Gender Studies by the Institute of Communications Research at University of Illinois. He is currently a lecturer at Universitat Pompeu Fabra and specializes in the interactions of media and LGBTIQ+ communities, especially in terms of queer youth, body image and masculinities.

Hosting and moderation by: Pavel Kunysz
Bio: Trained as a sociologist and former co-president of the Wallonian LGBTQIA+ federation, Prisme, Pavel Kunysz holds a PhD in Urban Planning by the University of Liège. His works have addressed communities' attachment to urban fallows in Belgium and Quebec, from marginal artists to cruising practices. Currently holder of the Mr Bear Belgium title, he develops projects on structuring and highlighting Belgium bear communities’ history.





Saturday, 3 October 2026
10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Les Grands Carmes – Rue des Grands Carmes 20, 1000 Brussels
Contact and registration: ags@ulb.be

Feel free to share this invitation with anyone who may be interested.
We look forward to seeing many of you there!