Zeb Atlas Is a Hairy Bear, NOT a Scary Bear..
Several months ago when Zeb Atlas appeared in a series of live shows at Manifest Men and he showed off his infrequently used naturally hairy look. The difference this time was that the hair wasn't trimmed or sculpted and the reaction was mostly positive---so much so that Zeb Atlas has kept this look since. You'll be able to see this look very shortly when the fall issue of Bear Magazine is released--with Zeb on the cover! He's enhanced his hairy look somewhat by growing some facial scruff although it's likely he grew it for the cover.
Now some of you may take issue with the fact that Zeb Atlas is on the cover of Bear Magazine when his body type is not exactly the first that comes to mind when you think of bears. However the definition of a "bear" is much broader than you think with the common denominator being body hair. If you're so inclined you might want to look up the definition online and see for yourself. It just goes to show you that many of those old labels and stereotypes (even within the gay community) just don't apply any more---and that's a good thing.
One last note Bear Magazine is getting wider more distribution! It's been picked up by the Borders & Bookworld chains. Of coourse it doesn't mean the magazine is going mainstream but it will be more mainstream exposure. The way straight pop culture "borrows" from gay pop culture we wouldn't be at all surprised is straight men started going for the bear look.
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