In this dissertation, I examine the ways in which gender, appearance, and erotics are enacted, constructed, and negotiated by a gay male sexual subculture called bears, using participant observation, interviews and textual analysis through the tenets of grounded theory. The word "bear" is an umbrella term that can describe physical traits to refer to attitudes that are shared by this group. The formation of the bear identity has provided an alternative to what many agree is the hegemonic gay male identity in the United States. Individual bears may see it as a community, a subculture, or a social movement. I compare two social clubs for bears and analyze how they created supportive alternative sexual spaces for anyone who was interested. Through participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and textual analysis I explore issues of identity, gender, appearance, and sexual aesthetics.