March 28, 2024 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

“Riot Bear” is Taking Body Positivity to New Heights

The body positivity movement has done a huge amount of good over the past few years when it comes to showing the world that there are as many different standards of beauty as there are people on this earth. However, with the focus staying mainly on women and female-bodied folks, what happens to the part of the male queer community that longs to see its own bodies embraced by the world at large?

Enter Riot Bear, Editor-in-Chief James Anthony’s love letter to bears and bear culture. By framing queer, hairy, big, diverse male bodies as beautifully and sumptuously as they should be framed through lush photography, Anthony is fighting back against the part of gay culture that tends to focus only on one highly limiting beauty standard. We caught up with Anthony to ask him a bit about Riot Bear’s influence on the culture at large, and its place in the body positivity movement.

Scott Wayne by Paul Lowe

Did you have a sense of what you wanted Riot Bear to point out or change?

We are a fashion and lifestyle magazine. That’s nothing new…but what we do differently is in our casting. We prefer real male body types. Not once in awhile for novelties sake, but all the time. It’s how we see beauty in the world.

How do you think the concept of body positivity translates in the queer masculine community?

It is influential and transformative. The Bear and Body Positive movement has changed the queer male community at large. Plenty of guys once considered Chelsea boys have stopped waxing their bodies and shaving their faces. I think that’s a good thing and hopefully plenty of them have breathed a sigh of relief and realized that it’s sexy to pinch more than an inch on their waist.

Manulani by Paul Lowe.

What do you think the queer community could be doing to help embrace male vulnerability?

Talking about real issues. Deeper issues. Mental health. Body pride is fabulous. Sexual liberation is fabulous. But we can’t all rely on the physical. There is too much despair inside so many people in our community that we must create space to get serious when we need too. Listen to each other and hold out a hand in help when needed.

What is the most powerful image you’ve ever seen?

Honestly, anytime a big guy is not afraid to show some skin it’s powerful. Showing your belly with pride is far more radical than showing your dick. To answer your question more specifically all the promo photos for Matty Matheson’s new show It’s Suppertime are really amazing.

Anthony Tulve by Paul Lowe

What do you hope people will take away from Riot Bear in the next few years?

Inspiration. Aspiration. New concepts in style and empowerment for big guys. I also want to help make men of size a norm in fashion.

What other projects do you have coming up?

We are planning shoots with actors, chefs and writers we love. Working with higher profile people who totally get what we’re doing is really encouraging. We’re also going to start playing with video. Stay tuned!

For more info, visit RiotBear.com.

 

Related Posts

LA Mom Writes Picture Book Breaking Down Gender Identity for Trans Kids

June 20, 2019

June 20, 2019

Navigating gender can be confusing for anyone. Now imagine being a cis straight parent with a transgender daughter ready to...

In 30 Years, GLAAD Has Come a Long Way

March 21, 2019

March 21, 2019

The 30th Annual GLAAD Media Awards are coming to L.A. on March 28. Rich Ferraro has been working with GLAAD for...

Somos Familia Valle Creates Safe Spaces

July 29, 2018

July 29, 2018

The San Fernando Valley-based organization embraces queer intersectional identity.

August 2: We Really Do Care – Do U?

July 25, 2018

July 25, 2018

Let's make some change.

“Gay Hollywood Dad” Just Premiered at NYAAIF

July 25, 2018

July 25, 2018

Finally, someone's telling the REAL story

What’s Happening: July 27- August 9

July 24, 2018

July 24, 2018

The best goings-on around and about L.A., period.

What’s Happening? June 29- July 14

June 28, 2018

June 28, 2018

The best goings-on around and about L.A., period.

Photos: The AIDS/LifeCycle Ride Makes Orange Great Again

June 18, 2018

June 18, 2018

Bikers make their way from San Francisco to L.A. in their finest Orange attire for Orange Safety Day.

What’s Happening? June 18- June 30

June 17, 2018

June 17, 2018

The best goings-on around and about L.A., period.

Tay Barrett is Queering the Workplace

June 13, 2018

June 13, 2018

The young auteur is taking a thoughtful, hilarious look at LGBTQ+ folk at work.

Tonight: Get Your Stormy (Daniels) On in WeHo!

May 22, 2018

May 22, 2018

She's got a few things to say.

Planned Parenthood’s New Lesbian Spokesperson

May 21, 2018

May 21, 2018

Dawn Laguens is out, proud, and dedicated to making big changes to the organization.