Overview: Bears San Diego
Through tons of annual events, they have raised thousands for nonprofits like Special Delivery San Diego, which prepares and delivers meals to people with life-threatening illnesses.
Bears San Diego has been recognized for over 30 years of fundraising and volunteering with the Community Service Award.
Through tons of annual events, they have raised thousands for nonprofits like Special Delivery San Diego, which prepares and delivers meals to people with life-threatening illnesses.
The social and service organization was founded in 1994 by five individuals who felt left out of the mainstream gay community because they did not look like the twinks or muscle people, according to Bears treasurer Donnie Vella. Members joked the group was an island of misfit toys.
“It was established by five individuals who felt that they needed a group where they can be together with other like-minded individuals … They felt more like they belonged there … They wouldn’t be judged based on their body style or the way they looked,” Vella said. “The Bears have always welcomed anybody.”
Today, the club has grown to over 75 members.
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They have events at least once or twice a week like bowling, karaoke nights and barbecues. Through annual fundraisers like the chili cookoff or mac n’ cheese contest, the group has raised thousands for charity.
The Bears host a contest each year for title holders who represent them in the community and direct some of their work.
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This year, both titleholders are transgender, so much of their volunteering has focused on raising funds for organizations like Trans Lifeline. Mr. San Diego Bear 2025 Jimmy Trimble and the new non-gendered title Leather Bear, won by Trimble’s partner Gio, have helped the Bears find out the needs of local trans organizations and help to meet them.
After decades of feeling left out of the most visible parts of the LGBTQ+ community, the organization is thrilled to win an award from
Pride
, one of the largest local LGBTQ+ nonprofits in the area.
“To be recognized by Pride after all of these years, it means a lot,” Vella said.
See more of our Pride coverage
here
, or page through the viewer
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to enjoy the print edition of the 2025 Pride Guide.
