The Bear Pride flag
The Bear Pride flag
The International Bear Brotherhood Flag - or Bear Pride flag as it's commonly known - represents a remarkable journey. More than just a banner, it tells the story of how thick, hairy gay men found their voice and created spaces where authentic bodies and identities are celebrated.
The Bear Pride flag features simple horizontal stripes with a bear paw print in the upper left corner. Its design echoes the layout of the Leather Pride flag, reflecting historical connections between bear and leather cultures. The flag's warm, earthy tones create a distinctive presence at Pride events worldwide, instantly recognisable to Bears everywhere.
What does the flag represent?
The Bear Pride flag stands for inclusion, authenticity, and the celebration of masculinity in all its forms. The design speaks to inclusivity at its heart, celebrating Bears of all backgrounds and experiences.
The meaning behind the colours
The flag's 7 horizontal stripes were chosen with purpose and meaning:
Dark brown
Orange/rust
Golden yellow
Tan
White
Grey
Black
These colours represent fur colours found throughout nature - both in the animal kingdom and the diverse bear community. While not directly referencing human skin or hair colours, the palette deliberately welcomes bears of all backgrounds.
The history of the flag
Craig Byrnes created the Bear Pride flag in 1995 while studying psychology at Mary Baldwin University in Virginia. Working with Paul Witzkoske, Byrnes wanted to give the growing bear community its own symbol of pride and belonging. At a time when bears were establishing their own spaces and events, the flag would become a powerful symbol of acceptance for thick, hairy men who often felt marginalised by mainstream gay culture.
The development of the flag
The creation process started with just a box of crayons. Byrnes sketched the initial vision. Working with Paul Witzkoske, they refined the concept through various iterations - including experiments with a green stripe and different paw designs.
These initial prototypes, each measuring 3-by-5-foot, debuted at the Chesapeake Bay Bears, 'Bears of Summer' events in July 1995. The winning design - created by Paul Witzkoske - became the flag known worldwide. Byrnes copyrighted it as the International Bear Brotherhood Flag (Visual Art Copyright 763-760).
The flag found wider recognition in Chicago during Bear Pride 1997 when the Gay-Lesbian Store requested 25 flags. It quickly became established at Pride events and Bear gatherings worldwide. Later, in a touching gesture, Byrnes gifted the flag to the bear community, placing it in the public domain.
The flag's continuing legacy
Today, a historical marker in Washington DC's Bloomingdale neighbourhood commemorates the International Bear Brotherhood Flag's development. As Bear culture has grown and evolved, the flag has remained a powerful symbol of inclusion within the LGBTQ+ community.
Whether flying above a bar in Sitges or decorating a booth at Bear Week in Ptown, the Bear Pride flag continues to symbolise identity and pride. It stands as a reminder that everyone deserves to feel proud of who they are.
This post is dedicated to Craig Byrnes, Paul Witzkoske, and all those whose creativity and vision created this lasting symbol of unity and pride.
References
bearsla. (2025). History Of The Bear Flag | bearsla. [online] Available at: https://www.bearsla.org/history-of-the-bear-flag [Accessed 29 Jan. 2025].
Mary Baldwin University. (2024). Hidden History: How MBU Helped Invent an International Gay Pride Flag. [online] Available at: https://marybaldwin.edu/news/2024/06/03/hidden-history-how-mbu-helped-invent-an-international-gay-pride-flag/ [Accessed 29 Jan. 2025].
Wikipedia Contributors (2024). Bear flag (gay culture). [online] Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bear_flag_(gay_culture) [Accessed 29 Jan. 2025].
Wright, L.K. (2024). The Bear Flag: Craig Byrnes and the International Bear Brotherhood Flag - Bear World Magazine. [online] Bear World Magazine. Available at: https://bearworldmag.com/the-bear-flag-craig-byrnes-and-the-international-bear-brotherhood-flag/ [Accessed 29 Jan. 2025].