Blog
Doughnuts, drag queens, and the night everything changed: The real story of Pride (Part 1)
The first Pride marches weren't parades - they were protests born from a doughnut shop brawl and nights of rioting against police brutality. In May 1959, customers at Cooper Do-nuts in Los Angeles pelted cops with coffee cups and doughnuts when officers tried to arrest five people for simply existing while queer. A decade later, the Stonewall uprising erupted when a crowd finally said "enough" to constant police harassment.
The history of the Bear Pride Flag
When society tells you you're too hairy, too thick, too much for mainstream gay culture, what do you do? In 1995, psychology student Craig Byrnes answered with nothing more than a box of crayons and a vision. His seven-striped creation would become the Bear Pride flag. A symbol that transformed from a university project into a global beacon of belonging. Those warm, earthy stripes represent every shade of bear fur in nature, but they've come to mean something deeper: permission to take up space without apology. From bars in Sitges to Provincetown, this flag flies as proof that beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, and levels of furriness.
Bears: the digital revolution
From hidden forum posts to worldwide celebrations, the internet revolutionised bear culture in the 1990s. In these first online chat rooms, isolated individuals discovered their global family and shared experiences that were once impossible. As digital connections grew into real-world gatherings like the International Bear Rendezvous, a vibrant worldwide community emerged.
Bears: the birth of a movement
Journey through the untold story of bear culture, from a single motorcycle club meeting in 1966 to a worldwide movement. Discover how thicker, hairier men challenged gay beauty standards, finding solidarity amidst the AIDS crisis, and transformed teddy bears into powerful symbols of affection and belonging. A story of revolution that changed LGBTQ+ culture forever.
The joy of Jocktober
Ever scrolled through social media and discovered a sea of hairy bums? Welcome to Jocktober! From protecting Boston cyclists to becoming a symbol of gay pride, discover how this humble garment evolved into an annual celebration of body positivity, defiance and self-acceptance in the LGBTQ+ community.
The history of the Pride flag
From Gilbert Baker's original 8 colours to today's inclusive Progress Pride flag, discover how our rainbow banner evolved alongside our growing LGBTQ+ family. Each iteration tells a story of visibility, resistance, and hope - reflecting our community's journey from the dark days after Harvey Milk's assassination to today's colourful celebration of diversity.
