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PRIDE Q+A: 49 questions with ‘The Bear Dan’ Anderson

A passionate community builder and event organizer, Daniel Anderson — better known in the scene as The Bear Dan — has been uniting the bear and queer communities through vibrant, inclusive events for over a decade. He launched his first bear party, Husky Bear Social, at The Embassy on Feb. 3, 2013 — a milestone event that helped ignite a new era of bear-focused nightlife.

Who: Daniel “The Bear Dan” Anderson
What: 2SLGBTQIA+ event organizer
Age: 44
Where: Lives in the Redhill neighbourhood
@the.beardan
@fur_hamilton
@kikiparty_hamilton

Today, Daniel "The Bear" Anderson — who has been married to husband Ryan for nearly three years — keeps the energy going as the host of the monthly FUR parties at Corktown Pub and co-host of KIKI at Ringside, creating spaces where queer folks can gather, connect, and celebrate unapologetically.

Anderson’s commitment to visibility and community pride also extends to his leadership work — notably as chair and organizer of Pride at the Pier in 2015 and 2016, where he helped shape the event into a cornerstone of the local Pride calendar. Whether he’s throwing a packed FUR party or bringing joy to the waterfront, Anderson brings heart, humour, and serious bear energy to everything he touches.

Daniel Anderson meets his idol Mel B at the former Fly nightclub in Toronto in 2013.
  1. Who is the most famous person you’ve ever met?
    Mel B (Scary Spice) at Fly in Toronto.
  1. If you could change one thing that’s happened since you started the bear-themed parties, what would it be? 
    Nothing, I actually like the way everything has happened for my events. 
  1. If you could live anywhere besides Hamilton, where would that be?
    Manchester, England. I just have such a great connection with that city. It’s always such a good time.
  1. How many pairs of shoes do you have?
    Only 16. I say only because Ryan has way more.
Daniel Anderson, with his husband Ryan, at one of Anderson's FUR parties.
  1. Favourite type of holiday: beaches, wilderness or city? 
    Oh that’s easy! City! I love going out and exploring new places and new night life. Plus I’m a ginger so I hide from beaches and the sun.
  1. Favourite season of Rupaul’s Drag Race?
    Canada’s Drag Race Season 1. Because it was fun to watch people I know on TV.
  1. Who’s the most famous drag queen you’ve met?
    Hands down Jimbo! They are such a great person. We were lucky enough to have gotten to eat dinner at their table on a couple of Pitbull cruises. 
Jimbo World
Jimbo. Photo by Blake Morrow
  1. Which famous drag queen would you like to meet?
    I would love to meet Rupaul. I feel like their stories would be amazing to listen to.
  1. Last film you watched?
    Wicked.
  1. What TV show do you hate?
    I'm not a fan of Seinfeld (just never got in to it).
  1. Starbucks or Tim Hortons?
    Tim Hortons (steeped tea).
  1. What was your first job?
    McDonalds on Dundurn. 
  1. If you won $1,000,000, what would you spend it on?
    Moving to Manchester LOL – oh and world peace.
  1. Describe a typical day.
    Wake up at 5:15 a.m. - make our lunches, shower, go to work, get home at 6 p.m. Cook dinner, have a drink and talk to Ryan about the day, then scroll on my phone and fall asleep. 
  1. If you were an animal, what would you be (and you CAN’T say a bear!)?
    I would be a cat. Seems like such a great life. Someone always feeds you, pets you, and you can just cuddle anytime you want.
  1. What is your favourite childhood memory?
    Christmas morning was always a great memory for me.
  1. Favourite area of Hamilton?
    I have always loved Gage Park. 
  1. Do you have any nick-names?
    Bear Dan.
  1. Biggest celebrity crush?
    Taylor Kinney or a bearded Ricky Martin.
  1. What’s your greatest fear?
    SNAKES.
  1. Describe your temper in three words.
    Chill, contained, mindful.
  1. Who would you like to meet the most?
    The rest of The Spice Girls.
  1. Would you rather have a live-in massage therapist or a live-in chef?
    I like to cook so I think a massage every day sounds amazing.
  1. Proudest moment in high school?
    Do gay people have proud high school moments? Lol 
  1. Would you consider yourself romantic?
    I think I am. I’m sure Ryan would say no, lol.
  1. Do you speak any other languages?
    No, I really want to learn Spanish though.
  1. What pisses you off?
    Technology when it doesn’t work (it could also be because I don’t know how to work it.) LOL
  1. Wine or beer?
    Wine
  1. If you were to become a superhero, what would your power be?
    To be able to give myself more time in a day.
  1. What would your superhero name be?
    Obviously Bear Dan. 
Its superhero THE BEAR DAN
  1. Can you impersonate anyone famous?
    No. Well, not good at least. 
  1. Vegetables or meat?
    Meat, but I do love a good vegetarian meal. 
  1. What food do you love the most?
    Mac n cheese
  1. What song do you love the most?
    Proud - Heather Small
  1. What film do you love the most? 
    Titanic
  1. Favourite alcoholic drink?
    Vodka soda
  1. Favourite non-alcoholic drink?
    Coke Zero
  1. What makes you laugh the hardest?
    Kids falling. 
  1. What is your go-to song for singing in the shower?
    Anything by one of the divas (Celine, Mariah, Janet).
  1. What are the funniest lyrics you’ve misheard?
    For years I thought Janet wanted to take me on an “ice capade."
  1. Grindr or Scruff?
    Scruff
  1. Worst fashion trend?
    Lol all of it. I don’t have good fashion. 
  1. What’s your most useless talent?
    Remembering lyrics from songs from 20 years ago.
  1. Can you describe your exes using movie titles?
    Crazy Rich Asian
  1. What would be the name of your autobiography?
    The Bear Dan - Behind The FUR. 
  1. Name a few things that you are most grateful for in your life? 
    My family being very accepting of me. And my friends. I am very lucky to have a lot of really great people in my life.
  1. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
    Our plan is to be in the U.K. 
  1. What is your ultimate goal in life?
    To just have no worries about anything. 
  1. Madonna or Lady Gaga?
    I'm old, so Madonna (but I love Gaga, too).