What is the Bear Brotherhood pride flag and what does it mean?

Bear Brotherhood pride flag

A bear within gay male culture refers to a large-sized hairier man who projects a sense of “rugged masculinity”. The Bear Brotherhood pride flag was meant to represent the bear subculture within the wider LGBTQ+ community. 

The Bear Brotherhood pride flag was designed in 1995 by Craig Byrnes. 

Meaning behind the colours: 

• Brown, rust / orange, yellow, tan, white, gray, and black represent the different fur colours of different types of bears (the animal)
• A black bear paw print is included at the top left of the flag, to further represent the bear community

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