I’m Abdel, I’m 39 years old and I live in Zwolle. I worked as a Project and site engineer in Morocco and Qatar. I came to the Netherlands as a refugee in 2020, now I am a status holder.
It’s nice that I can be myself in my daily life with my neighbors, my work and in the community…
A lot has changed in the meantime, fortunately. I just said I’m gay. The general response to this was that this was not a problem.
I am good friends with many neighbors. I am happy to have helped normalize homosexuality among my neighbors.
I feel good and can comment when I think a certain man is handsome. It’s very nice that I can be myself.
I had two reasons to join the contest.
Firstly, I have a conviction of belonging to the bear’s community.
Secondly, and this is the main reason, I wanted to meet more people, to make some new friends and to live the experience.
Mr. Bear 2023
My friends are very excited that I participated in the Mr. Bear elections. He supported me. I didn’t want to participate in an election just to sell a show. I want to give back to the gay community Especially LGBTQ+ refugees. “Little words often change a lot in people ”.
I’m not an expert or any sort of coach – the only thing I can share are my experiences from my life.
First of all, you have to be conscious that you don’t live for others, you live for you. We’re all unique and beautiful. If someone doesn’t like you, that’s their issue, not yours.
Don’t think the social network filters are real.
Don’t think all influencers and celebrities have a sweet life.
Be proud of all your daily achievements – cooking, studying, meeting with friends, your job.
Don’t change the wonderful person that you are.
My tip for when you don’t feel so good: exercise and talk to a good friend. Everyone has bad moments. I currently get a lot of energy from people I get to know and by listening to their stories “It’s good when you feel not good”.