I am Astrid Oosenbrug – chair of COC Netherlands, and also active in the world of (cyber)security for years. From both worlds, I am committed to safety, visibility and inclusion every day. Whether it concerns young people who speak out online or people in our community who are looking for their place: everyone deserves to be able to be themselves, without fear of judgment.
The Bear Community has a special place in my heart. As a warm, diverse and proud group of people, you show that there is not one way to be queer. Here, it is not about perfect pictures, but about authenticity, about connection – about being able to show yourself as you are, with softness and strength. That is why it feels like a great privilege and a true pleasure to be part of the jury for Mr Bear Netherlands 2025 this year.
If there is one thing I pay attention to – in elections, in leadership or in daily life – it is whether someone really makes contact. Is someone approachable? Does that person also listen to others in the community? Does someone dare to be themselves and give others space to do so as well? Because a strong Mister, or a good representative of our community in general, does not only impress with their appearance, but also with their heart.
Hi my name is Ben and I’m MrBear 2024. I’ve been asked as a judge for the 2025 MrBear competition. As a judge I will be looking for authenticity in the candidates. How true are they to their core values and also what do they bring to the community? How comfortable are they on stage in front of a crowd, and how much fun are they able to have. A MrBear has to be comfortable in their own skin and are they able to socialize with people of all walks of life.
These are the qualities I’ll be looking for as a judge.
Hi everyone, my name is Kevin, Mr Bear Belgium 2025. I started actively participating in the Bear Community in 2017, where I first met the Belgium Bears. Since then I have been to all Belgian Bear Prides and have also attended quite a few Bear Prides abroad.
For me it is important that a Mr Bear is someone the community feels safe with. This can be by being someone who encourages everyone or by being very calm with everyone. So I will mainly pay attention to how the candidates behave towards the Community! Because together we are stronger!
Hello, my name is Angel. I am the current Mr. Bear Luxembourg 2025.
Being Mr. Bear gives me many opportunities to meet other Bear communities in other countries because we are like a close-knit family. Being Mr. Bear also means representing your community in other countries, making yourself known to other people, and interacting with other Mr. Bears from other countries.
As a Jury for the Election to Mr. Bear Netherlands, I will pay close attention to the values that the candidates present and their desire to represent their community in other future events.
Stanley Starreveld Doesburg, is the Chairman of the Fetish Committee of Pride Amsterdam. “I am delighted and proud to serve as a jury member for the MR Bear Netherlands competition.”
He continues "The bear community plays a crucial role in connecting various subcultures within the LGBTQI+ community," says Stanley. "Bears are represented in fetish, leather, rubber, trans, lumberjacks, athletes, circuit and many more. They not only promote inclusivity but also body positivity, showing that everyone, regardless of body shape or size, can be proud of who they are. It is an honor to be a judge for the election and support this diverse and inclusive group during the competition."
Here they are: our five expert jury members for the Mr. Bear Netherlands 2025 Election
Meet our four fantastic candidates for the Mr Bear Netherlands 2025 election: Edwin, Martijn, Marc, and Arthur!
Click the photo to learn more.
