Words by Josue Ramirez
Edited by Abigail Vela
In queer culture, the term bear is associated with gay burly, heavy-set men with plenty of body hair. Abraham Hinojosa-Villarreal, a board member of the RGV Bears, considers it more of a mindset than a physical appearance. RGV Bears came together in 2021 when friends saw an opportunity to create a community where they felt represented accurately for their body positivity and as their authentic selves.
For Hinojosa-Villarreal, it is a space to feel comfortable, “We’re not all one conventional body type, but it doesn’t mean that we can’t be celebrated or that we all can’t be a part of this brotherhood of body positivity.”
The group grew from small get-togethers like brunch and group movie outings to their first pool party called Caldo de Oso. To Hinojosa-Villarreal, the need for spaces like the one RGV Bears create at their social gatherings was a long time coming. Although it was not without the stigma that is often wrongfully associated with the group.
In 2022, an article on Valley Central drew criticism from the local queer community when they incorrectly attributed a potential outbreak of Monkeypox to the Wet Oso Weekend event held by RGV Bears. Part of the reason the group exists is to deconstruct these harmful mainstream narratives around queer culture.
“Bears, we are very judgment-free; we’re all about giving people a space to celebrate their own sexiness in a safe space,” states Hinojosa Villarreal, “To feel your own skin, feel your own body in a place of like-minded people that won’t make you feel any shame.”
In that spirit, this coming weekend, on February 10 and 11th, RGV Bears will be hosting their First Annual RGV Leather Weekend. They are partnering with the Valley Aids Council to help destigmatize sexual expression and to create an environment for people to have that freedom.
“While it is not a sexually driven event, we do want to acknowledge that there is more than what is conventional out there,” the RGV Bears member explains.
Friday will be their Kink Ball, so expect to see latex, leather, masks, and chains. Saturday, the Valley Aids Council will host the Love, Leather, and Lace Market, where vendors will have gear, fetishwear, and adult toys. Demonstrations on safe play and how to enjoy some of the things that have been marked taboo or stigmatized by mainstream culture are also scheduled.
A significant component of their efforts is sexual health literacy. “This is the event to say that it is normal to have these kinds of interests, and if you want to try these things out, these demonstrations will teach you how to do so safely.” In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to get access to PREP, HIV testing, and to learn safe sex practices like using condoms and dental dams.
Saturday night, the Mr. Leather RGV Pageant will crown a winner who will represent the region in the International Mr. Leather 2023 competition. The event will end with a Leather Ball with music by DJ Soze and Live Gogo Entertainment hosted by Mistress Lady B.
Contrary to what people think, you don’t have to be a bear to be a member of RGV Bears or attend these events. “We are a very body-positive, inclusive group regardless of sexual orientation or gender,” says Hinojosa, “We are all about creating that safe space where we can come together, socialize, create that sense of community, and have fun.”
Buy tickets here.
Be sure to follow RGV Bears on Facebook and Instagram.
Nuestra Delta Magica: Settler Imaginaries & Community Resistance is a two-month-long exhibition that will investigate untold South Texas history of land settlement, addressing racial and environmental injustices happening in the Rio Grande Valley.
Happy Women’s History Month! Read about 3 women who paved the path for women in the RGV, becoming icons in their own right.
On Saturday, March 25, La Unión del Pueblo Entero (LUPE) is celebrating its 20th Anniversary and partaking in its 20th Annual Cesar Chavez March! Founded in 1989 and established in 2003 in the RGV, LUPE became a community union that uplifted low-income communities through organizing and advocating for social issues.
