CHINESE GAY BEAR MEN
Gay bear studies all have been done by Western researchers and involve Western populations. Comparable studies on non-Western cultures are lacking. Preliminary quantitative and qualitative studies were undertaken to explore Chinese gay bears’ physical and psychological characteristics, as well as personal needs related to and cultural perspectives on Chinese gay bear identity. Quantitative data (N = 646) suggest Chinese gay-bear-identified men, as compared to non-gay-bear-identified gay men, are heavier, hairier, and more masculine traits, and have a higher likelihood of feeling more confident in gay bear community life than in the heterosexual world. Qualitative data ( N = 12) found Chinese gay bears desired to become popular, achieve higher status, and gain emotional attachment in gay bear community. Discussion covers cultural aspects including collectivism, binarism, and exam-oriented education.