Brains, Brawn and Belly Laughs: A Conversation with Andrew McKinnon, Mr HCB 2026

Luka chats with the handsome Andrew McKinnon, the title holder of Mister Harbour City Bear 2026! Check it out below.

Andrew McKinnon has proudly claimed the title of Mister Harbour City Bear 2026, capturing the hearts of the Sydney Bear community with his infectious energy and authenticity.

As a celebrated figure among the Harbour City Bears, Andrew represents a refreshing and empowering blend of big body positivity, intellect, and approachability. Embracing the ethos of Bear World Magazine, he stands as an inspiring example of self-love and unapologetic self-expression for older gay men with large, beautiful bodies.

An alumnus of the Australian National University (ANU), Andrew brings a profound depth to his community involvement. Living openly with a neurodiversity background, he is passionate about visibility and creating spaces where everyone feels they truly belong.

His journey highlights an important reality: the Bear community is not just about physical aesthetics or matching a specific mold, but about celebrating all the unique ways our minds and bodies navigate the world.

When he is not wearing his sash or advocating for body positivity, Andrew can often be found cycling—a passion that keeps him active and grounded. Known for his tremendous sense of humor, he believes that laughter is an essential tool for building community and breaking down barriers.

Whether he is cracking a joke or organizing local community events like his regular board game nights in Parramatta, Andrew McKinnon perfectly embodies the joyous, inclusive, and welcoming spirit of the global Bear brotherhood.

Luka Musicki (L.M.): First of all, a massive congratulations on being crowned Mister Harbour City Bear 2026! How did it feel the moment they announced your name.

Andrew McKinnon (A.M.): The first feeling was, “Is this real?” As a member of bears for the last 3 years and being in the tradition of some rather impressive men, I felt both in and out of place. 

L.M.: What inspired you to step up and run for Mister Harbour City Bear this year?

A.M.: I have really loved being a part of the various bears tribes in Sydney and felt that we could have a younger bear from Western Sydney, and when I found out it was Ivan and me running, I was overjoyed that my goal was already accomplished.

L.M.: How has the Bear community in Sydney supported you on your journey to the title?

A.M.: The bear community in Sydney has been a second family to me. They are my rock and my sanity. At both Harbour City Bears events and community member-led events, I have found Love, friendship, and acceptance.

Whether that’s at Ramadan Markets, MTG, Lunar New Year, Parramatta Bears Play Boardgames, Nights out at the movies or an evening at the pub.

L.M.: What does “big body positivity” mean to you as an older gay man in today’s world?

A.M.: Well, first of all im not quite 30, so older isn’t something I feel I am yet. In saying that, I have always prided myself on my love of guys of diverse bodies, ages and interests; if I were doing the same things with the same kind of guy all the time, my world would be a lot more boring.

To find the beauty in a man is an amazing experience, and Bears has given me many opportunities to do that. If you choose cereal only by the prettiness of the box, that is one way to pick, but I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s the best. 

L.M.: Often, loud and crowded queer spaces can be overwhelming. Do you have any advice or ideas for making Bear events more accessible and neurodiversity-friendly?

A.M.: Accessibility is a must, and when planning events, it needs to be a strong consideration. Sensory spaces are just one accessibility feature that is achievable in various ways. I get rather irritated by loud noise, so I bring my noise-cancelling headphones to parties and will sometimes hang in the coat check or bathrooms, but people’s needs and sensitivities vary.

When a venue or space allows a quieter space to get away from the lights and sounds, it can be a godsend. I understand that some venues can’t realistically do that, but it should be kept in mind when booking or building a space.

L.M.: Has your neurodivergence influenced the way you connect with others, build relationships, or view the world?

A.M.: There is an in-joke amongst my friends that we don’t necessarily know, but we find each other. And most of my friends these days are on both the LGBTQIA+ and Neurodiverse spectrums; that’s the thing about spectrums: everyone is somewhere on them.

L.M.: How would you introduce Andrew McKinnon to Bear World readers beyond the title and the usual short bio?

A.M.: I’m a man of contradictions; I’m from Mittagong and live in Western Sydney. Im a bear, and I enjoy Cycling and Basketball. I’m a very private introvert, but I also enjoy hosting Bears events and will make many jokes about myself.

I build PCs, have a lifelong love of LEGO, and have always preferred spoken word audio entertainment. I have a loving family, a strong queer community and an amazing boyfriend. I am truly blessed with abundance.

L.M.: What first brought you into the Harbour City Bears community, and when did you begin to feel that you had found your people?

A.M.: My first Bears event was Press Paws, a Bears gaming evening, where for the first time in my then 25 years I was in a room where (virtually) everyone was gay and neurodiverse. I was like returning home after a long trip, but you never before.

L.M.: What inspired you to enter the Mr Harbour City Bears competition this year?

A.M.: I wanted Mr HCB to be different from previous years; I am the first Mr Harbour City Bear who was born within the club’s existence.

I think that is a great thing that bears, as a queer institution, have the staying power to serve the community over such a long time; I want to continue that tradition and keep it relevant to the modern bear.

L.M.: What was the most memorable, unexpected or funniest moment of the “King of the Triangle” night?

A.M.: Well, me and one of the MCs got up to some shenanigans in the green room. It’s a lot less salacious than that we organised the teddy bears, which were gifts for all of the contributors, into a fascinating arrangement (pictures available at HCB’s Facebook page).

L.M.: What does being Mr Harbour City Bears 2026 mean to you personally, and what would you most like to bring to the role?

A.M.: There are so many ways to be a great Mr Bear: you can represent your state, unite the community, expand your club, connect the clubs, teach the bears new skills, or you can champion your charitable cause.

My primary goals are to host more events in Western Sydney, strengthening community there, and my secondary goal is to make all HCB members feel seen and heard.

When I go to Friday and Sunday Bears, I do my rounds, and when im on my feet, feel free to have a chat.

L.M.: Harbour City Bears has a long history of creating social connection across different ages and body types. What do you think makes a bear community feel welcoming and genuine?

A.M.: This is the magic of Harbour City Bears, the way we can make anyone feel at home. It makes me think of a hymn my dad would play when I was younger: ‘Come as you are’ (Browne).

It’s a space where you are accepted as you, and you can find hospitality, comfort and connection.

L.M.: What advice would you give to someone who is curious about the bear scene but feels nervous about attending their first event?

A.M.: Harbour City Bears do 2 evenings a week. Come along and say hi to the folks at the desk. We host over 150 events a year, so there will be something that catches your interest.

In the same light, in all Bears groups I have been to across Australia, acceptance and friendship were found.

L.M.: Can you recall a time when humour helped people connect, eased an awkward moment or made you feel more at home in a group?

A.M.: Someone once said to me I use humour as a deflecting mechanism, and I use humour in everyday conversation to help gauge people I’m talking to.

I can find reading body language rather difficult, so I use some language to provoke a more obvious response to me.

L.M.: You have a connection with the Australian National University. What did you study or focus on there, and what did that chapter teach you about yourself?

A.M.: After graduating at the University of Wollongong (Go Ducks), I felt I enjoyed the government policy parts of economics, and started a master’s in public policy, before halfway into my first semester we had to go 100 per cent online for social distancing purposes.

With a boyfriend in Wollongong, a pizza delivery driver and Uni in Canberra, I probably was one of the most legally mobile people in the country during lockdowns. 

While I was attending ANU in person, I loved living in Scullin, and the lifestyle Canberra had to offer. I stayed with family, which came in clutch when I had to write an essay on framing debates, and found out a relative had worked on a textbook on the subject.

I guess the whole saga taught me how lucky I was to have a strong family, and as I have learned through bears many don’t.

L.M.: How did cycling become part of your life? Do you prefer solo rides, social rides, long-distance challenges or exploring somewhere new?

A.M.: It was my first day off at ANU, and I didn’t want to pay for parking in the city and preferred long days at uni. So decided a bike could add flexibility to my life.

I went to the Recyclery, which was then right next to campus, and ended up volunteering for the day, fixing abandoned and second-hand bikes and selling them to new Canberra cyclists. It became a hyper focus for months, and nowadays I enjoy the occasional bike trip. 

L.M.: What misconceptions about bears or bear culture would you most like to challenge, and what do you wish more people understood about the community?

A.M.: Once, when I brought up bears with a fellow gay at an office job, they said, ‘Aren’t bears the ones who have events at the sauna?’ Which is true but not the only thing we are; bears are a pro-sex community group, where you have opportunities to be as sexual as you’re comfortable.

But we also are a group of mates where you can grab a drink and sit back, or play board games deep into the evening or fool around with too many inflatable pool toys.

On the other hand, I think the bear aesthetic is well defined, but when people ask ‘what is a bear?’ One should limit how strictly the person needs to be an example of that aesthetic.

Bears being a queer subculture, face enough exclusion; we should strive to be as inclusive as possible whilst keeping the community united. I would be pilloried if I tried to exclude Kylie Minogue from Bears.

L.M.: How do you balance the public side of holding a title with the parts of your life that you prefer to keep private?

A.M.: There are some things that a mother has a right not to know, so I have the ‘there be dragons’ conversation, telling family there are places where you should not go looking for what you don’t want to see.

And on the side of Bears members and the public, there are parts of me, mostly family and sex matters, that I don’t bring up. When I write jokes, they mostly start at my everyday experience, so much of my writing is sneaking something into my phone.

In high school, my drama teacher would say, ‘Be a bowerbird,’ and I have taken that to heart, always collecting bits in a Google Doc. In saying that, there are things that I have written that I will never share widely.

L.M.: Looking ahead to Mr Australasia Bear 2027, what are you most excited or curious about, and what would make the experience meaningful for you?

A.M.: I’m looking forward to the trip to Melbourne. I like to travel overland and see my country bear friends.

As a young gay man in Mittagong, you’d always get the guys on the apps passing on the highway or train, and so many beautiful people I just wanted to stay and get to know, so in a way I’m wishing to fulfil my past self’s dreams, but also befriend some of the best blokes in the country.

For the Southern Hibearnation itself, I am interested to see the events from the contestants’ side for once. Vicbears always puts on a great show, and I anticipate great things for 2027. 

L.M.: Thanks Andrew for your time to answer the questions from the interview. Time for the quick-fire questions.

• If you were any animal—including any kind of bear—what would you be, and why?: I’ve always wanted to be a duck; if I can float, walk and fly, I can meet others where they are at. I’m not a silly goose.
• Location: Grew up in Mittagong, lived in Wollongong and Canberra, these days in South West Sydney.
• Pronouns: He/Him.
• Relationship status: Open Relationship.
• Favourite drink: Flat White or Rum and Coke.
• What type of man are you attracted to: Confidence and communication are important, but I like various bears
• Favourite cities or holiday destinations: I love a road trip.
• Favourite hobby or pastime: Nerdary (I build PCs, Paint, Cycle, Basketball, Lego, Board games).
• Your idea of a good date: The kind where there is a second date.
• Where can we find you?

• Instagram: @sus.android
• Discord: suspiciousandroid217