{"id":64585,"date":"2026-07-11T18:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-11T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.belgiumbearpride.be\/?page_id=64585"},"modified":"2026-07-11T08:53:51","modified_gmt":"2026-07-11T06:53:51","slug":"2027-candidates","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.belgiumbearpride.be\/nl\/2027-candidates\/","title":{"rendered":"Candidates 2027"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n \"R\u00e9my\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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R\u00e9my<\/h2>\n

30 years old \u2022 Brussels<\/p>\n

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Hi, I\u2019m R\u00e9my! I\u2019m 30 years old and I live in Brussels. Recently, I started working at the reception of an LGBTQIA+ club. Before that, I was a grower of aromatic and medicinal plants in the Ardennes.<\/p>\n

I am delighted to submit my candidacy to represent our community. I am both gay and a bear\u2014two identities that are fully part of who I am. For the past 17 years, I have been actively involved in environmental activist organizations. Working toward a sustainable future and engaging within the gay community are not opposing causes; they complement each other. Both are rooted in the values of empathy, respect, solidarity, and inclusion. In fact, kindness and empathy are the exact values I want to champion.<\/p>\n

For a long time, I struggled to accept my body hair, my curves, and my appearance. But bear bodies are beautiful, desirable, and deserve to be celebrated. Five years ago, I chose to move to the countryside. This experience allowed me to truly understand the isolation and social vulnerability that some bears face in rural areas, where many have drifted away from social spaces and support networks.<\/p>\n

We need to strengthen the bonds between urban and rural worlds by organizing events in the countryside, right in the heart of nature. We must encourage encounters and build connections in rural areas, while reconnecting with the nature we are all a part of. So, if my candidacy speaks to you, vote for me!<\/p>\n <\/div>\n Watch his video<\/span><\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

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\n \"Lou\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Lou<\/h2>\n

37 years old \u2022 Brussels<\/p>\n

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Hi there, I’m Lou ! 37, Brussels based and I love to gather small rocks. I am both an artist, seller, tattoo artist and a boxing coach. It’s hard to stick me to one label.<\/p>\n

Speaking of this, being trans allowed me to navigate through the whole LGBT spectrum. It took me some time to feel legitimate to step into the Bear community. But I’m happy I did it and met its members. Like them, my body also deviates from the norms.<\/p>\n

The bears are breaking the codes of masculinity to reclaim it. They play with virility, question gender and beauty norms. This mentality creates a caring, open-minded and warm environment to all. For this election, I want to bring representation for transgender people to the bears.<\/p>\n

I’ll be a voice for the minorities in our community. To show that we exist, that we are not just slogans and that there is a place for everyone. As Mister Bear Belgium, I’ll be the one listening to others. I want to follow the work of my predecessors, keep creating connections and opening doors.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n Watch his video<\/span><\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

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\n \"Lo\u00efc\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Lo\u00efc<\/h2>\n

32 years old \u2022 Chapelle-lez-Herlaimont<\/p>\n

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My name is Lo\u00efc, and I\u2019ll be 33 years old during the election. I live in a small village near Charleroi, and I\u2019m about to begin training to become a multicultural facilitator.<\/p>\n

I consider myself a bear through and through, even though I don\u2019t have a round belly\u2014but I share the same passions. And I\u2019m running for Mister Bear Belgium because I\u2019m part of your family, and I want to show that being a Bear isn\u2019t just about your body\u2014it\u2019s also about having a personality with a heart bigger than your body. I feel I belong in this big-hearted community.<\/p>\n

My goal is to show that every body type can be part of the community by strengthening ties with other communities. If I\u2019m elected by your votes, I\u2019ll do my very best to prove to all of you that I\u2019ll be your spokesperson for a year\u2014and, I hope, your most memorable Mister Community Bear for as long as possible.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n Watch his video<\/span><\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

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\n \"Micka\u00ebl\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Micka\u00ebl<\/h2>\n

47 years old \u2022 Province of Namur<\/p>\n

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Hello, I\u2019m from the province of Namur. I worked as a florist for 15 years in Brussels and as a head chef in the provinces of Namur and Flanders.<\/p>\n

I was introduced to the Bear community through adventures in France\u2014thanks to my younger boyfriends, of course\u2026 They used to tease me by calling me \u201cmy little grizzly\u201d or \u201cteddy bear\u201d\u2014they found me comforting and kind.<\/p>\n

If I\u2019m elected Mister Bear Belgium, I\u2019d love more than anything to spread the word about our gay bear culture in the provinces and maybe help a few bears come out of the closet who might not dare to yet. Hope to see you soon, my little teddy bears. Micka\u00ebl, candidate Mister Bear Belgium.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n Watch his video<\/span><\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

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\n \"Jo\u00ebl\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Jo\u00ebl<\/h2>\n

46 years old \u2022 Brussels<\/p>\n

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I am Jo\u00ebl, 46, and live in Brussels. Half Portuguese and half Iranian, born and raised in India and now a proud Belgian citizen. I am an economist by profession. Having lived in many countries, I bring a truly multicultural perspective. I previously served as President of Gay Bombay, and deeply associated with the Bear community.<\/p>\n

I have attended many Bear elections across Europe to observe and learn from the current and past Mr. Bears on their respective initiatives and bring some of their good ideas to Belgium. I already represent Belgium by actively supporting Bear communities, events, charities, and businesses across Europe even without a sash or title. Mr. Bear is not about appearance, popularity, or ego. It is a responsibility rooted in service, humility, inclusiveness, and love. I am committed to give back to the community that helped shape me. As a person of colour, I reflect the diversity of both Belgium and our Bear community. We have never had a person of colour win this title in Belgium, and am here to change that.<\/p>\n

My project, \u00ab Unsashed \u00bb<\/strong>, celebrates the often-unseen members of our community which includes:<\/p>\n