LOS ANGELES—Times have changed in the adult industry when it comes to the men we desire in the movies. The 80’s, 90’s and a good portion of the early years in the new millennium primarily featured smooth, young and attractive twinks whose faces were on all the magazine and box covers we could get our hands on.
There were also the pretty, muscular boys that showed off their perfectly sculpted bodies anytime the director said, “Action!” Both categories, of course, are still around today, however there have been other types that have slowly made their mark in the gay porn world to the point where they permanently have their own table in this delicious cafeteria of men.
I am talking about the woofy, furry and delicious guys known as bears. The term “bear” has shifted so much over the years but still has one common thing at its core: hair. And I’m not talking about what’s on top of their heads. I mean the kind of thing that glistens on their chest, legs and a** anytime we click play on their bevy of hot scenes.
“The porn industry has changed over the years. Back in the days, people used to idolize muscle men with perfect hairless bodies. However, little by little people started to move on towards the more real and less staged type of porn,” burgeoning porn star Julian Torres said. “Bears represent more of like what many perceive as the real men who just love enjoy f***ing without being too manicured. That ‘real men f***ing’ for me is what has made bear porn become so popular. It just has taken on a wider appeal in modern society. The fact that now it is possible to call a hairy and burly men ‘sexy’ is powerful.”
The popularity of guys who are considered bears (daddies, cubs and chubs included) is something that’s not going away anytime soon. Guys like Rocco Steele and Colby Jansen, the former of which just snagged the Fan Vote for Favorite Daddy at the 2021 GayVN Awards, are some of the top performers across several online platforms whose fans can’t get enough of their rugged presence and fantastic performing abilities.
“Bear porn has been around since the birth of the word ‘Bear’ as a marketing tool,” performer and director Tony Banks said while speaking about the importance of bigger guys in porn. “The early bear models were more of the muscular, yet thick and hairy physique. As other players got in the game, you saw a change and broadening of the types of guys featured in the various magazines and eventually porn movies.”
Tony Banks
“As technology evolved, and the bear community grew, so did mainstream appeal towards the bear community,” he continued. “The dadbod became acceptable, beards were in style and bear porn/X-rated images were accessible at your fingertips. Now anyone can be an adult bear model without going through a porn company. People are starting websites and producing their own content with a phone. Sadly, the classic outlets, like magazines and video, are now starting to diminish as the world's views on adult entertainment changes, along with technology. But new ones are always on the horizon.”
And the results of all this change is paying off big time for many. Outside of Rocco there were several other bear-types who ended up victorious at the GayVN’s including Steve Cruz who was awarded Best Director (Non-Feature) for Cake Shop from Raging Stallion.
“At first I found it hard to believe anyone would want to see me because so many performers were manscaped and groomed, I was not a mainstream flavor,” he said while reflecting on his days in front of the camera. “I was surprised at my success. The fans of hairy men are fiercely loyal, I still get messages."
“With the emergence of individually produced fan content there is something for everyone, that makes this moment so exciting!” he continued. “A wider range of body types, pigments, personal styles, trans and so on. As these pages gain followers executives at mainstream studios are waking to the reality that brands might need to expand the idea of what beauty is. One thing is for certain fans of furry men don’t like it too trim, it's all about the fur pattern as it exists in nature. Chest, a**es, thighs, balls, beards… all of it. Sometimes even backs. How men are in the wild. I’m glad to be appreciated as I am.”
Steve Cruz accepting Best Director - Non Feature at 2021 GayVNs
Cruz in the winner's circle at 2020 GayVNs
Bryan Knight, another popular star who has worked for a variety of studios that cater to the bear audience, echoed a similar sentiment to Steve. “Audience members want performers they feel they can relate to. A body type that is similar to their own let's them enjoy the fantasy of the performance more.”
Relatability, inclusivity, popularity and profitability all due to being hairy? Sounds like a win-win situation for any and all that’s involved.
Bryan Knight
Julian Torres by Sasha Lovette
