The Bears of South Florida

The Bears of South Florida provides a welcoming space for the bear community and its admirers to socialize and raise money for the local LGBTQ+ community. Membership is free, with no dues, and everyone is welcome.

The calendar stays full all year: pool parties, monthly happy hours at The Eagle in Wilton Manors, Fur Fridays at Hunters, bowling nights, Give Back Mondays, movie and theater outings, CPR trainings, group cruises and trips to events like Bear Fair, plus a Tropical Bear Week welcome party and a night out at Wicked Manors. Members also turn out together for concerts and shows by fellow community groups.

Every event feeds the Grizzly Giving Program. Each year the Bears award grants to organizations and individuals working in health, wellness, equality, education, social welfare and the arts, presented at a grant ceremony at Hunters each December. Recent recipients include SunServe, The Pride Center at Equality Park, the Gay Men's Chorus of South Florida, Stonewall National Museum & Archives, Island City Stage, Safe Schools South Florida, SAVE LGBT, Prism and The Alliance for LGBTQ Youth.

To get involved, sign up for a free membership, then volunteer through the member portal as a greeter, bartender, setup crew, booth staffer or photographer, with no minimum commitment. Individual donors can give at tiers from Cub to Kodiak. The board meets monthly at The Pride Center in Wilton Manors.