Why it's not cool to slag off bear events!

Firstly let me start by saying I'm not involved at all with the running of Bear Bash or Manbears. I take part in a small way in providing some of the entertainment, but otherwise am just a participant like everyone else. But having helped run events like this in the past, I know where they're coming from.

There have been a number of people in recent years who have been trying to prove their 'alternative' credentials by slagging off bear bash and any other bear event. These events are apparently too 'mainstream' for them. I don't need to name these self-appointed 'bear spokesmen' - you all know who they are!

One criticism I hear a lot is that Bear Bash is too expensive and that Manbears are profiteering with it. Well, do you really think you could put on everything that goes on over that weekend (for well over 1000 people) any cheaper? Seriously? I'd suggest you try costing it out! Are there things you think money is wasted on? As far as I can see, everything on the programme is there because it's been asked for. Sure, not everyone wants to do everything - that's why some parts of the weekend are charged for separately. And if you do have suggestions, why not just share them with Manbears instead of shooting your mouth off all over the place?

The other thing I hear over and over is 'I don't support Manbears because I don't like (insert name of person here)'. That is feeble. No-one at Manbears could put these events together alone. It takes a team of people - who, by the way give up a lot of their time and energy to make these events happen.

And as for being 'too mainstream' - pah! How mainstream could gathering a bunch of bears ever be? Bears represent a tiny proportion of the gay community, which in itself is a small minority of the world at large. And if so many men are attending these events, they must be serving them in some way.

So maybe, before you have a go at bear events, think about doing these 2 things instead:
1. Offer your suggestions to bear event organisers - from my experience, they're pretty open to this.
2. Offer alternative events (but don't deliberately clash them, that would be petty) - there's still plenty of room for all sorts of events!

If you can't do either of these things then, with all due respect, shut up!