It sticks to ya

[eggwards]

Something a little fluffy today. I'm dealing with some new fallout at work that will definitely get it's due soon. Actually, there's something good (a new project) and something bad (restructuring). Lots to do there.

Instead, it's time for a little poll for all of you. I only have one sticker on my car, and don't want to make it a dumping ground for dumb stickers. There's a little Flash logo (the white circle bisected with a yellow lightning bolt) that sits in the left corner of the back window of the X-Terra. Right above the bump for the first aid kit (Yes, there really is a kit in there, no I've never used it).

A few weeks ago I bought a sticker. I was in the Gayborhood in Dallas and I bought it. It's one of the long bear-flag colored stripes with the little paw on it. I'm still thinking about it. Do I need to advertise? (Probably not.) Is it worth putting on? Just for the sense of community?

Besides, I drive my mother in this car. What's the good lie for what that sticker means? hmm.

So poll away...

[Poll #154367]

Your comments are gladly welcomed.

Comments

[woofytexan.livejournal.com]

You could always tell your mom it is a sticker for wildlife/bear support. That is what I told my homophobic step-father and mother when they asked.

[eggwards.livejournal.com]

Good Idea. I like your thinking!

[xanaducub.livejournal.com]

I drive the big gay pride Accord. In FL we do not have a front tag, so I have a rainbow pride tag up there. On my back window I have a gay pride rainbow mickey ears and a leather bear.

Its up to you if you want to advertise.

[cristalskye.livejournal.com]

I did not answer the second question as I do not think she will ask you if its a pride sticker. I think she will simply ask what it means.

Tell her it means Save the Bears.

[garebear.livejournal.com]

To be honest, I don't apply anything to my car...but that includes soap, water and wax...but the bear paw sounds cute. It's not only a matter showing unity and being part of a community, but you never know when some woofy guy will spot you and require gaydar assistance.

The only problem with pride colors is there are still people out there who may be angry and repressed and may decide to take it out on your self identified X-Tera.

[eggwards.livejournal.com]

That's the thing, I do worry about advertising to the wrong people. The Bear flag colors are a little less conspicuous than the rainbow colors.

I think there is a bit of a community identification that I want, but I don't think I have to advertise. Might not hurt, though.

[theevilnub.livejournal.com]

As long as it's on the window part & not on the painted metal or bumper cover, then ok. (easier to remove when the time comes to trade-in)

[eggwards.livejournal.com]

That's exactly it. It would end up at the top of the back window.

[lukebacca.livejournal.com]

I answered yes to both questions because I used to have them on my car before I wrecked it.

I had a small bear flag on the back and a license plate cover/border that said 'BEAR' on it, surrounded by rainbow paws.

[randomcub.livejournal.com]

I have a rainbow flag and a leather-flag sticker. I've thought about getting a bear sticker too, but I only do the static cling kind because I don't want to have to mess with it if I ever trade in the car or sell it.

You said you drive your mom in the car. . . are you not out to her? Is it her car or yours?

I'd say, if it's your car, and you're out to your mother, then put whatever you want on there-- but be prepared for her to ask.

[eggwards.livejournal.com]

My mother rides occasionally in my vehicle. I'm not out to her yet...so there is a little problem there. I'd only put it on the window so it would be easy to remove.

Re:

[randomcub.livejournal.com]

So you can't say, "I'm a cocksucker who gets off with big hairy manly-men," eh?

hmmmmmm. That's a tricky bit.

I keep my rainbow sticker on when I go to my family reunions now, and I'm not specifically out to all of those folks, but I figure word will eventually get around. . . I may not keep the leather sticker on, though. I feel a bit odd about advertising a specific fetish, you know? Likewise for bear stickers. Because while I like leather and bears, that's not the sum total of what turns me on. I don't want cute guys disqualifying themselves from talking to me because they don't fit in those categories.

[eggwards.livejournal.com]

Well, I don't think I'll tell that to my parents just yet. I'm sure my father has gotten some strange thoughts in his head though. He works in a jail and I'm sure he's seen something before and is probably troubled that his son is doing something similar, though under much better circumstances.

Well, that's where my opinion of Bears is slightly different. I see it more as a subcategory of the community at large, rather than a fetish. I just identify better with bear-ish folk than other parts of gay society. I see the point of not limiting yourself to one area, though, and I guess many would see the sticker as a stop sign, if they didn't feel like they were bearish enough. I like to think I'm somewhat of an equal opportunity guy.

Re:

[randomcub.livejournal.com]

Well. . . I don't think bears are just a fetish, exactly. [backpedal backpedal] BUT I think some other folks think it is. I've had people tell me that they wanted to say hi but that they assumed I was only into bears.

So that's why I'm a bit leery of it right now.

Because I'm into men. Often bearish men, but often other men too.

*shrug*

[jrjarrett.livejournal.com]

I dunno, is it really necessary to advertise?

[dakoopst.livejournal.com]

*shrugs* It all depends on you, bud.

For me, having my stickers (the HRC and a rainbow bar) help me reaffirm the fact that I'm ok with being gay. It's almost like something that helps me stay out...like I really need any help with that, I suppose...LOL...

Do what you're most comfortable with. There's no NEED to have the sticker there, but if it's what feels right, go with it. You'll weigh all the factors yourself and figure it out.

[hylandr.livejournal.com]

I have a small rainbow flag on the driver-side lower corner of my rear window. My mother asked if it was a parking sticker. I told her no and she just dropped it.

Bear pride sticker

[polocub77.livejournal.com]

The best thing about the Bear pride stickers (aside from looking great) is that most people have no clue what they mean. I have one on my bag and I see people look at it all the time in the subway, wondering what it is. It's almost a secretive way of letting every one know you're gay. This also applies to the leather flag and the HRC stickers (HRC is somewhat more widely known though). Besides, if some one knows what it means, either they are enlightened or a big homo themselves.

[alphaschnitz.livejournal.com]

A big NO on the BearPride strip from me.
- Its ugly and assymetrical IMHO
- The brown tones would SO clash with the red color of your Xterra.
- I've never been a big fan of labels ("bear", "cub", etc) in general. - The "mom" factor.

I have the thinnest possible 9" rainbow pride stripe centered along the top edge of the rear window on the BPW^TM. Simple, elegant, understated, symmetrical, and it doesn't interfere with the functioning of the rear wiper (full 180deg. arc).

[eggwards.livejournal.com]

The browns and reds were one of the concerns. Red's my favorite color, so I'd think other cars would also suffer the same problem.

I guess the reason I would choose the Bear Flag over the more traditional rainbow colors is simply for the fact that it's even less known.

[bookish-cub.livejournal.com]

if it makes you feel good to have a sticker on your car, then go for it! the bear pride ones are under most peoples' radar, so it's likely that the only people who would know what it means are other gay bears.

[tenorcub.livejournal.com]

I have a nice compromise of regular pride and bear pride. Its a medium-sized bear paw in the usual pride colours (not bear pride colours). I posted a pic here (http://www.sfu.ca/~kbarclay/pridepaw.gif) I bought it at the local pride shop for about CAN$5, although I have seen them online too. Its about 4" high, and is made of clear cling plastic. Its easy to remove and restick if you need to. I took it off for 4 months while my sister borrowed my car.

It probably wouldn't be much good if you have a tinted back windshield though.