Draft:Bears Perth
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Submission declined on 9 September 2025 by Pythoncoder (talk).
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Bears Perth is a volunteer-run social club in Perth, Western Australia, serving the local gay bear and supporters community.
History
[edit]Bears Perth begin in 1993 with founding members organising an initial picnic that September before moving to a committee structure the following year as WOMBATS Inc. (West Oz Marsupials And Their Supporters).[1] In 1997 the club renamed to Bears Perth Inc.[1][2] The club celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2023.
Name and public confusion
[edit]In May 2025, the Western Australian government and the Australian Rugby League Commission confirmed that the similarly named Perth Bears would be formed as a new NRL franchise for Perth. Affiliated with the North Sydney Bears, the new team is slated to enter the competition in 2027 or 2028.[3][4]
Following that announcement, there was national press coverage of the public confusion between the new NRL team Perth Bears and the gay bear social club Bears Perth. Coverage highlighted the near-identical names, the club’s long history, and its venue’s proximity to HBF Park - a regular venue for rugby games.[5][6][7][8][9][10][11]
To address the mix-up, Bears Perth added a prominent notice on its public membership pages stating it is not associated with the NRL team and asking rugby fans not to sign up to the social club by mistake.[12] Reporting at the time noted a spike in membership applications from interstate rugby supporters and there was both national television coverage, including The Sunday Project, and radio coverage including Sydney’s 2GB. [13][14]
Activities and events
[edit]Den Nights
[edit]Bears Perth runs regular “Den Nights” as a social space for male-identifying people (including cis and trans men). Events are typically hosted at Loton Park Tennis Club near HBF Park.[15]
Western Roundup and Mr Bear Perth
[edit]The club stages Western Roundup, a multi-day program culminating in the Mr Bear Perth competition.[16] Winners usually go on to participate in the Mr Australasia Bear competition held during the Southern HiBearnation festival in Melbourne. [17][18] In June 2025, Mr Bear Perth 2024 Jeb Maihi Brown became the first transgender winner of the Australasian title. [19][20]
Membership
[edit]Bears Perth is a not-for-profit association with membership open to male-identifying people aged 18 and over.[21][22]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Club History". Bears Perth. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
- ^ Watson, Graeme (2007). "Community Group Profile: Bears Perth". OUTinPerth. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
- ^ "Perth team confirmed to join NRL in $65m deal funded by Western Australia taxpayers". The Guardian. 7 May 2025. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
- ^ "ARLC reaches historic agreement with WA Government for 18th team". NRL.com. 8 May 2025. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
- ^ "Bear necessities: new WA NRL club's name a hot mess". The Australian. 14 May 2025. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
- ^ Kirk, Emma (16 May 2025). "Gay club mistaken for NRL's new team". Yahoo News Australia. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
- ^ "Gay club mistaken for NRL's new team". The Daily Telegraph. 16 May 2025. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
- ^ "NRL's hairy name issue with Bears Perth". QNews. 15 May 2025. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
- ^ "Bears Perth tackle their rugby dilemma". OUTinPerth. May 2025. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
- ^ "Honey trap: Perth's gay club caught up in Bears fan mix-up". Love Rugby League. 17 May 2025. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
- ^ "Bears' try for team, not a club for queens". LeagueNews.co. 17 May 2025. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
- ^ "About Memberships — Rugby Fans Take Note". Bears Perth. 2025. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
- ^ Kirk, Emma (16 May 2025). "Gay club mistaken for NRL's new team". Yahoo News Australia. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
- ^ "Gay club mistaken for NRL's new team". The Daily Telegraph. 16 May 2025. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
- ^ "Bears Perth — Home". Bears Perth. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
- ^ "Western Roundup 2025: Mr Bear Perth". Bears Perth. 2025. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
- ^ "Mr Australasia Bear". VicBears. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
- ^ "Southern HiBearnation". VicBears. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
- ^ "Mr Bear Perth makes history as first transgender Mr Australasia Bear". QNews. 14 June 2025. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
- ^ "Jeb Maihi Brown crowned Mr Australian Bear". OUTinPerth. 14 June 2025. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
- ^ "Constitution of Bears Perth Inc". Bears Perth. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
- ^ "About Memberships". Bears Perth. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
External links
[edit]- Official website
Media related to Bear (gay culture) at Wikimedia Commons
Quotations related to Bear (subculture) at Wikiquote
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