Master Dee Bear, HoH of House of Bear
I had the pleasure of interviewing a Leatherman who over the years I’ve grown to know as a brother and an upfront and direct Leatherman. Watching not only his growth but the growth of his House within the Leather and BDSM Community has shed light on how things are being done in CTX (Central Texas). It’s with great pleasure that I get to share my talk with Master Bear.
House of Bear was established in 2017, they are a haven for those who need a safe space. The House is focused on leaving a legacy in the Leather and BDSM Community, by volunteering, educating, and fellowshipping. The House Motto is “We Do Not Subscribe to Bullshit”. If that ain’t the realest motto I’ve ever heard, I don’t know what is. LOL
The members consist of Master Bear (HoH), Mz. Locs (mentee, probationary member), Namita (baby cub - House Member), and Vee Ro (Vanilla Rose- House Member/Secretary/Historian).
Newly covered Master in July 2023, Master Dee Bear has been in the community since 2016. Hailing out of Killeen, TX. He is one of the Founders of the CTX Kinky BBQ and CTX Kinky Harvest (formerly known as Spanksgiving). His journey started at the WILL (Women International Leather Legacy) Conference. Seeing people like him and allowing him to see the camaraderie, closeness, and facets of honor and integrity are the main reasons that he decided to travel the roads of Leather. As well as being a part of the motorcycle community and a fraternity.
One of the hardest obstacles Master Bear has ever had to overcome while on his journey is the loss of his slave/partner Nubia. Nubia was loved by many and left a lasting impression not only on Master Bear but also on everyone she came into contact with. The class that he created and taught to help carry him through his loss is called, “It’s OK to Not Be OK”. Losing your partner, someone who holds a big part of you is very hard to handle and transition through. With the help of his House, Tribe, and Community, he can continue sharing the love of Nubia with others.
Out of the Core Leather Values, the main three that speak to Master Bear are Integrity, Honesty, and Perseverance.
- Integrity because you have to do what’s right for the right reasons, when people are looking and when they aren’t.
- Honesty because “the biggest lie is the lie you tell yourself”. Being honest with ourselves as well as others. We are all adults, why lie to people? You’ll get further in life by being honest.
- Perseverance, because every day is not going to be easy. Every day you will always be challenged and when things get hard, you have to push through. Never give up.
Throughout his years in the Community, Master Bear has witnessed a lot of things. But he says over the past three years, what saddens him the most is the division and lack of accountability.
"No one wants to hold people accountable due to friendship or popularity. That’s the sad part. Whether it comes to consent violations or grievances. Depending on who's attached to it, if they are popular it’s swept under the rug. But if it’s vice versa, people want to wolfpack, or dog pile on someone without getting the whole story. That’s what causes the division, the blind loyalty. The destruction of communication and lack of accountability. For us as a community to do better, we have to be better."