A landscape is
described by Paul Groth, a University of California-Berkeley professor of
geography and architecture, as “the interaction of people and place: a social group and its spaces,
particularly the spaces to which the group belongs and from which its members
derive some part of their shared identity and meaning.”[1] This definition clearly illustrates the
dynamic cultural structure of “The Iron Bear, a bar for Bears by Bears,”
located at the corner of 8th and Colorado streets in downtown
Austin, Texas.
“[The] goal for starting this bar was to
provide a place where all Bears can come together in friendship and
brotherhood. If you have drama,
please, leave it at the door.”[2] This sagacious mindset of the owners of
the bar has helped to solidify the Bear community as a salient subculture
within the greater LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) communities
of Austin and Central Texas. While
the definition of the word, “Bear,” in the gay nomenclature has many
characteristics and is self-determined, a sizable majority would affirm that it
describes hyper-masculine qualities, girth, and hirsuteness, with facial and
body hair being quite prevalent.
In the first part of this assignment, I photographed countless numbers
of men in the bar with facial hair, without a single refusal! So obviously, axiomatic descriptors of
“friendly and cuddly” should also be included for Bears! I’ve been told, and fully attest,
that facial hair is as natural to the Bear as breathing. To remove the fur from the animal, it
shivers and dies! I’ve also heard
rumors that Bears really like their bellies rubbed! But use your own judgment and proceed accordingly! Of paramount importance, though, from
the interviews with the locals, I found that with the enmity of intra-community
discrimination and societal judgment, the present-day ubiquitous attitude has
emerged towards an unwavering acceptance of all who choose to ally with the Bear
community, away from a strict, physical definition.
One
of the more genuine stories I have about the Iron Bear was during one of my
visits, when I noticed that it didn’t carry my favorite brand of vodka, “Русский Стандарт”,
or “Russian Standard.” While not a
“gay” brand, it affirms my Russian heritage by being potent, strong, and virile
without the after bite of so many of the usual brands of vodka. I “hinted” that it would be more than a
good idea for the bar to carry it. Surprisingly, upon my next visit to the Iron Bear, my “Русский Стандарт”
was waiting for me! It made my
Russian heart soar, and I almost started to belt out the first few lines of my
Russian national anthem, “Россия –
священная наша держава (Russia – our sacred homeland)!” I think there just might be some “Russian”
Bear in the Iron Bear!
The demographics of the Iron Bear’s patrons are
chiefly consubstantial, to the degree that most ascribe to a sexual
minority. But again, not to
belabor the point, all non-judgmental, respectful clientele are welcome. Accordingly, only 25-34% of the LGBT population classify
themselves as a “bear” or “muscle bear,” yet classifications of cub, otter,
polar bear, panda bear, chaser, cub, wolf, and even ursula (from the Latin, ursa, meaning lady
or she-bear), can all find a congenial home atmosphere at the Iron Bear.[3] Unequivocally, the establishment
succeeds in achieving its desired goal of a “drama-free” zone. However, it still falls prey to the
masculinization of the space, as denoted by Angel Kwolek-Follen, in Engendering Business, by the mere
placement of the female restrooms in the most remote location of the bar, exemplifying
a differentiation in gender status.[4] But frankly, I’ve seen plenty of women
in the bar, and from the ones with which I’ve spoken, lesbian or straight, they
have never felt ostracized or objectified by their ursine brethren.
While
the City of Austin has experienced a 6.6% population increase since 2010 to
approximately 842,000,[5]
the city has also seen a recent substantial 69% rise in the number of same-sex
couple households to 1.25% of the population, which is more than twice the
statewide average in percentage.[6] The bar serves as a magnet of
“realness” for the entire Central Texas area, and pulls from every socio-economic
and racial demographic. Regardless
of the physical location of the Bear’s domestic den in the metro area, the
patrons insist on loyal assemblage with the like-minded ursine community,
although are simultaneously quite confident to venture out to other
hetero-normative spaces when needed or required. The behemoth barrier of I-35 doesn’t occlude the gathering
of the sleuth! Status concerning
income level, employment, education, race, and any other superfluous
classification is left at the entrance, along with the drama. The Bear community prides itself on
breaking down the physical and emotional barriers of class, allowing access to
all in a community of brotherly spirit, regardless of academic critique to the
contrary.
The area immediately surrounding the Iron
Bear’s location, to a radius of one mile, is predominantly white (78%), male
(60%), and harbors the largest age demographic between 20 and 34.[7] The neighborhood, with a 4.05%
population growth, also adequately reflects the overall growth of the city, with
only an 8.86% vacancy rate in rental properties. In 2012, the neighborhood revealed a per capita income level
of $60,358, which is almost double that of the entire city of Austin at
$31,200, but even more distant from the State of Texas at $25,600 and the US at
$27,900. This obviously reflects higher
education rates of 44.5% with a bachelor’s degree or higher in the immediate
neighborhood area, compared to Texas at 26.1% and the US at 28.2%.
Thankfully, the overall LGBT-friendly
atmosphere in the city of Austin negates the necessity for establishing the
traditional gay enclaves, such as Greenwich Village and Harlem in the early 1900s,[8]
and later, the Castro in San Francisco.
Rather than being a haven of escape from the enviable white,
heterosexual, rich world,[9]
the Iron Bear stands firmly as an independent symbol of strength and total
self-acceptance for the Bear subculture and the entire LGBT communities. Just as so many disaffected youth
flocked to the urban gay ghettos of the past to escape conservative pressures
to conform,[10]
the Iron Bear axiomatically represents a community where all who enter are
welcomed and protected, yet simultaneously challenged to conquer the demon of
self-doubt and destructive internalized homophobia placed upon them by society.
Prior
to the opening of the Iron Bear, the Amsterdam Café was located on the premises.[11] While a charming eatery and bar which
is so reflective of the flavor of Austin, it is easy to understand the many
facets for which a business must choose to permanently close its doors. While I am not privy to the actual
reason(s) for the transfer of ownership, it would be reasonable to assume that
the ever increasing property values and taxes assessed accordingly would have a
significant impact on any such decisions.
Just in the last three months, the price per square foot for the area
has risen 2.1%, to $212, which significantly exceeds the rates of Travis County
at $199/ft2, the entire metro area at $175/ft2, and the
State of Texas at $120/ft2.[12]
While the City of Austin has successfully, yet
hypocritically, marketed itself on the “weird” factor, the LGBT community can
find non-judgmental acceptance and gratitude for their patronage throughout a
vast plethora of establishments in the city, removing the need for such
demographically specific oases.
However, regardless of this phantasmal perception of reality, this
centrally located hub of brotherhood, with easily accessible arterial parkways
from every part of the city, will continue to be a nexus between fun, family,
friendship, and frolic for all who choose to enter its atmosphere of security
and salubrious environs.
So, who is welcome at the Iron Bear? Answer: ALL are welcome, physical features, be damned! But heed my warning: if you are a Faux News follower and like to spew its venom, this is not the
place for you! Thus, it might be wise to consider alternative spaces to
assemble! It would be a tragedy,
indeed, if you were mauled by a “mighty” IRON BEAR!
[1]
Jessica Sewell, “Gender, Imagination, and Experience in Early-Twentieth Century
American Downtown,” in Everyday America:
Cultural Landscape Studies after J. B. Jackson, ed. Paul Groth et al.
(University of California Press, 2003), pp. 237-254.
[2]
www.theironbear.com
[3]
http://www.studiomoh.com/fun/census/results.php#Muscle_Bears_details
[4]
Sewell, pp. 242-243.
[5]
http://www.loopnet.com/Property-Record/121-W-8th-Street-Austin-TX-78701/P6w5pj39w/Maps/
[6]
http://www.statesman.com/news/news/local/numbers-of-same-sex-couples-rise-in-central-texa-1/nRd7s/
[7]
http://www.loopnet.com/Property-Record/121-W-8th-Street-Austin-TX-78701/P6w5pj39w/Maps/
[8]
George Chauncey, “Building Gay Neighborhood Enclaves: The Village and Harlem,” in The Blackwell City Reader, ed.
Gary Bridge et al. (Malden, MA:
Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 2010), pp. 243-249.
[9]
Paris is Burning, directed by Jennie
Livingston (1990: NYC: Miramax Films: 1991.), Film.
[10]
Chauncey, p. 247.
[11]
http://www.austinchronicle.com/food/2008-08-08/658145/
[12]
http://www.loopnet.com/Property-Record/121-W-8th-Street-Austin-TX-78701/P6w5pj39w/Stats-Trends/
