Eighteen Years of Bear-Necessity: A Legacy of Body Positivity and Belonging in Amsterdam
For nearly two decades, the bear community in Europe has looked to Amsterdam as a beacon of inclusivity and celebration. At the heart of this movement is Bear-Necessity, an event that has grown from a local necessity into an international institution. As the organization prepares for its milestone 18th anniversary, it stands as a testament to the power of visibility and the enduring appeal of a space where “masculine meets queer” in a celebration of every body type.
From its massive presence at Milkshake Festival to the upcoming World Pride, Bear-Necessity continues to redefine what it means to be a “bear” in the modern age. We sat down with the founder, Sjag, to discuss the journey from the early days of the scene to becoming a pillar of the community.
The Evolution of the Scene
Richard Jones: You’ve been involved in the gay scene since you were 21. How has the aesthetic changed from those early days when you were volunteering at leather parties?
Sjag: In the beginning, the crowd I served was very “mature masculine butch.” It was a specific look. But today, it has evolved into something I really appreciate—it’s inclusive of queer and masculine, feminine, and everything all together. The boundaries have opened up.
Richard Jones: Bear-Necessity started in 2008. What was the spark that brought it to life?
Sjag: There had been a four-to-five-year hiatus of bear parties in Amsterdam, and people approached me because of my social network and because I was a “cub” at the time. I realized there was a clear need to unite the community and give it visibility. The party was packed from the very first edition; people were waiting for something to call their own.
Take a look at some photos taken at those early events:
Celebrating 18 Years of Inclusion
Richard Jones: You are celebrating 18 years of Bear-Necessity and 10 years of the Mr. Bear Netherlands election. What makes this celebration special?
Sjag: The most important thing is that we are still thriving and popular after 18 years. We’ve become the largest event promoting body positivity and acceptance for bears. What makes us unique is that we don’t discriminate by gender. Unlike some fetish or bear parties that only accept males, we welcome everyone. We want to be a safe, comfortable space for the evolving community, which now includes diverse genders and those who are gender-fluid.
Richard Jones: Looking back, is there a specific moment that stands out as particularly “heartwarming” for you?
Sjag: Definitely the gathering we organized right after COVID. We couldn’t do internal events, so we organized a bar and barbecue event outside. After almost two years of being separated, seeing everyone together again was incredibly moving. It reinforced that this is a family. At a Bear-Necessity party, no one is ever alone.
Posters from more recent events can be seen below, to see every single poster from the 1st event head here, and then click the posters to see the photo archive its impressive:
Impact and the Future
Richard Jones: You’ve also done a significant amount of charitable work through these events. Can you tell us about that?
Sjag: We try to support where we can. We once collected 1,500 teddy bears from our customers and donated them to an organization for children in hospitals or from underprivileged families. We also support AIDS funds through our events, contributing prizes to help the cause.
Richard Jones: With World Pride coming to Amsterdam, what can we expect from Bear- Necessity?
Sjag: It’s going to be huge. We have the Canal Pride, a tea dance, and together with 4 other organizations, we will be part of the “Crash” stage. We’re already seeing a lot of Americans buying tickets for August. People are looking for an escape and a place to have fun, and we’re ready to give them that.
For More info on World Pride – Click Here!
A Community-First Philosophy
Despite being the architect of one of Europe’s most successful bear brands, Sjag remains humble, preferring to let the community and the performers take the spotlight. “I prefer to stay in the background,” Sjag noted, emphasizing that the focus should always remain on the mission: body positivity, acceptance, and a low-key, non-judgmental atmosphere.
As Bear-Necessity enters its nineteenth year, its mission remains unchanged. Whether through the glitter of the Canal Pride or the warmth of a local gathering, Sjag and the Bear-Necessity team have proven that when you build a space based on acceptance, you don’t just build a party—you build a home.
Bear Necessity’s 18th Anniversary is on Feb 7th click for more info.
