There is still so much emphasis on what a "real" man is supposed to be or act like. I thought this would be a great opportunity to play with others' perceptions of me as being "hunky" or "masculine." What would they think of me in thigh-high stiletto boots and a wig?

Bear contests, like their components in the queer Imperial Court and leather scenes, often are held as fundraisers for the local bearclub and charities, creating essentially male beauty pageants performed by and for gay, bi, and queer men in the bear community.

On the return drive on Sunday, I had plenty of time to reflect on the significance of Bear Week in the calendar of a resort area like Provincetown. Most merchants and locals acknowledge that Bear Week is now the biggest tourist event in the coastal town's year-round schedule of weekly themes.

Gay men are still stereotyped in mainstream media as gym bunnies -- and judging by the results of a recent British poll, nearly half would be willing ...