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.
- Who is the most famous person you’ve ever met?
Mel B (Scary Spice) at Fly in Toronto.
- 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.
- 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.
- How many pairs of shoes do you have?
Only 16. I say only because Ryan has way more.
- 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.
- Favourite season of Rupaul’s Drag Race?
Canada’s Drag Race Season 1. Because it was fun to watch people I know on TV.
- 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.
- 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.
- Last film you watched?
Wicked.
- What TV show do you hate?
I'm not a fan of Seinfeld (just never got in to it).
- Starbucks or Tim Hortons?
Tim Hortons (steeped tea).
- What was your first job?
McDonalds on Dundurn.
- If you won $1,000,000, what would you spend it on?
Moving to Manchester LOL – oh and world peace.
- 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.
- 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.
- What is your favourite childhood memory?
Christmas morning was always a great memory for me.
- Favourite area of Hamilton?
I have always loved Gage Park.
- Do you have any nick-names?
Bear Dan.
- Biggest celebrity crush?
Taylor Kinney or a bearded Ricky Martin.
- What’s your greatest fear?
SNAKES.
- Describe your temper in three words.
Chill, contained, mindful.
- Who would you like to meet the most?
The rest of The Spice Girls.
- 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.
- Proudest moment in high school?
Do gay people have proud high school moments? Lol
- Would you consider yourself romantic?
I think I am. I’m sure Ryan would say no, lol.
- Do you speak any other languages?
No, I really want to learn Spanish though.
- What pisses you off?
Technology when it doesn’t work (it could also be because I don’t know how to work it.) LOL
- Wine or beer?
Wine
- If you were to become a superhero, what would your power be?
To be able to give myself more time in a day.
- What would your superhero name be?
Obviously Bear Dan.
- Can you impersonate anyone famous?
No. Well, not good at least.
- Vegetables or meat?
Meat, but I do love a good vegetarian meal.
- What food do you love the most?
Mac n cheese
- What song do you love the most?
Proud - Heather Small
- What film do you love the most?
Titanic
- Favourite alcoholic drink?
Vodka soda
- Favourite non-alcoholic drink?
Coke Zero
- What makes you laugh the hardest?
Kids falling.
- What is your go-to song for singing in the shower?
Anything by one of the divas (Celine, Mariah, Janet).
- What are the funniest lyrics you’ve misheard?
For years I thought Janet wanted to take me on an “ice capade."
- Grindr or Scruff?
Scruff
- Worst fashion trend?
Lol all of it. I don’t have good fashion.
- What’s your most useless talent?
Remembering lyrics from songs from 20 years ago.
- Can you describe your exes using movie titles?
Crazy Rich Asian
- What would be the name of your autobiography?
The Bear Dan - Behind The FUR.
- 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.
- Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Our plan is to be in the U.K.
- What is your ultimate goal in life?
To just have no worries about anything.
- Madonna or Lady Gaga?
I'm old, so Madonna (but I love Gaga, too).
