The exbeariment Josh Rotter conducted in the emblematic San Francisco scene changed his perception for men, masculinity and fetishes. With a starting point like that it’s pretty easy: “Truthfully, I’ve never even kissed a beard. Preferring a neat workspace, I find excessive body hair too unwieldy.” The author dives in the vibrant bear scene in Castro and lets himself go the hairy way.

On his journey to beardom Roth experiences get very intensive – he needs just a couple of nights to study the bear nature, to find the perfect key to a bear’s heart or at least hairy chest (honey). Then Josh gets his beary climax when he realizes:

“I was squeezing my way out [of the bar] past the throngs of Bears, Cubs and Otters at the now packed club, he said “hi,” rubbed up against my hairy cheek with his and kissed my face. Going into insta-shock, I felt a static electricity run from his face to mine with the bit of friction. As my fingers caressed his furry upper chest through his V-neck shirt, I suddenly understood what everyone was talking about. I discovered the joy of Bear.”

Read more about his experiences and the outcome of this journey in the wilderness here. In the meantime also take a look at those stunning scientific bear guides which will help you plan your hunt better:

If you’re visiting San Fran soon, you will definitely need this piece of info:

Want to bear it up for the weekend? Let your tufts flow and dress to impress—a hair shirt for starters—and head out to The Lone Star Saloon or The Eagle Tavern on Sundays for bear bust. If you want to dance with somebody, then head to Bearracuda @ Deco Lounge on the first, third and fifth Saturdays of the month or to hear Honey Soundsystem @ Paradise Lounge on Sundays. With sloths of bears in town for International Bear Rendezvous Weekend 2010 (Feb. 12-14) don’t miss your chance at finding your bear-y Valentine at one of three special dance parties including: Magnum @ DNA Lounge (Feb. 12), Bearracuda (Feb. 13) and the notorious IBR Underbear Party (Feb. 14) @ Deco Lounge, headlined by DJ Rotten Robbie. Get your tickets before they sell out. You better hairy!

imagery and more info: thebolditalic, harryhorror

The winter is over. Bears are awake. I officially announce the beginning of the hunting season. More:

imagery: harryhorror, menwithoutclothes, szakall, loveofhair, haikalnoyes, beardslover, carrottop

“Pride is dead” is the only English we find on the website of The Beef. The zine that balances erotics, art, design and HQ text content explains its mission as follows:

“Pride is Dead is born of contradictions, from the dissidence of the cliché perception of gay pride, and how it has been deformed into a mainstream, corporate-based shadow of what it originally was . It’s an anti-activism, but the prefix “anti” referrs to the anti-hero in contemporary fiction: to accomplish the same goals in a unorthodox way. We want no parades. We want no flags. We refuse to be labeled. We don’t want to be in the media to mislead others to follow the corporate side of homosexuality, and assume that’s the only truth.

We don’t want to convince anyone, or to radically change people’s views on the matter. We want them to participate, to get involved. We are not politicians. If our activities generate a debate, good for the people who opened their minds to a different view on things. We’re looking to share our ideas, to give space to those looking for it and those who want more, through exhibitions, conferences, publications, concerts, parties and any kind of activity that Pride is Dead supports or generates.”

It kind of sounds basically like my mission with GRATEFUL GRAPEFRUIT. So maybe at the end of the day, pride is not so dead after all.

Click here to download all 3 issues of The Beef.

imagery: thebeef

John Webster is an OCAD graduate who can’t stop creating art with that “a bit too much” factor. Kellogg’s, Sony, EMI and Mirvish Productions are among the variety of clients he has illustrated for. Despite all the corporate majors he can keep his integrity and still play with gender issues, hair and bold sarcasm. Pretty amazing, huh?

John has a quirky eye that mixed with his penchant for pop culture and his years of painting and design give his collages a unique painterly feel. They evoke poignant and alternately fun imagery that have an instant hypnotic effect on the viewer. It’s best not to be working heavy machinery while looking at Mr. Webster’s work! Well I doubt my readers have ever touched heavy machinery anyway.

John caught my eye with his latest “famousness” series of illustrations including Amy Winehouse, Britney Spears and Paris Hilton. Take a look atthem and some other provocative pieces John has done over the years.

imagery/more info: The John Webster Book

… were traveling last 2 weeks. Yes, that’s why.

… we need new glasses.

… we levitate occasionally.

… we have a green thumb.

… we know it doesn’t take just a pair of glasses to be a nerd.

… we just got that vacant look on our face.

imagery: frackwiththegods, adullbrilliance, elifkarakoc, dashbeard, chazecito, avantbear, dicksdicksandmoredicks

… we like to have it in black and white.

… we drop ‘em like it’s hot.

… we can’t have em all, but we keep on trying.

… we always dive head first.

… we kiss and tell.

… and we enjoy the silence.

Image courtesy: wunderschön, fuckyeahfuckinggorgeous, viewonsuperior, iambrainwasher, kiske

… and everywhere else.

… we try to make friends with nature.

… we are devoted readers.

… we don’t marry just for the tax reductions.

… we are anonymously gorgeous.

… and we come in pairs.

This issue was dedicated to spring, bees and all cherry blossom boys.

image courtesy of: phred, brotherjean, zev, everyfink

Endangered species who need our special attention. 7 +1 every every week starting this Monday. Here is the first set of boys…

imagery: lagodilot, loveofhair, thewetsnow, zooted, steve753, baristabenjamin

Let me tell you a lie: Berlin is paradise in summer and hell in winter. Let me tell you another lie: Once you come to Berlin, you cannot leave – that’s how much you will like it. Or another one: Everybody loves Berlin.

And now let me show you the truth in the first Berlinhell Fugzine set on Grateful Grapefruit:

How about some more?

imagery: imnotmorissey, fuckyeahsodomites, funkpunkandroll, cameraobscur4, ihugparkingmeters, queteden, babble, backseatcuddler, gaygamer, fukkkofff