Bloomingdale in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
DC and the Development of the International Bear Brotherhood Flag
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 22, 2022
1. DC and the Development of the International Bear Brotherhood Flag Marker
In 1995, the International Bear Brotherhood flag was introduced to the world from within DC's own bear community. Today the flag is internationally recognized among this distinct culture of husky and hairy gay, bisexual and queer men.
The paw represents bear culture in general and the colored stripes represent types of fur in the world.
Greater DC's bear culture has included several organized groups in the past decades, notably DCBC, Chesapeake Bay Bears, Gen X Bears DC, 495 Bears, Beltway Bears, DC Bλar Crόe, and District Bears.
Erected 2022 by Two Bears.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations. In addition, it is included in the Vexillology series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1995.
Location. 38° 54.957′ N, 77° 0.834′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Bloomingdale. It can be reached from Thomas Street Northwest just east of 2nd Street Northwest, on the right when traveling east. The marker hangs on a fence in the alleyway with access from Thomas Street. Please respect that this marker is in a residential alleyway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 145 T St NW, Washington DC 20001, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Tidewater, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers.
this page online
Another marker is no longer nearby. Robert and Mary Church Terrell House (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been permanently removed).
Also see . . . Bear flag (gay culture). Wikipedia article about the Bear Flag (Submitted on October 22, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)
Additional commentary.
1. About the Flag
While it is officially called the International Bear Brotherhood Flag, it usually known by its more informal name, the Bear Flag.
— Submitted October 22, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
Additional keywords.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 22, 2022
2. The International Bear Brotherhood Flag Marker
The marker hangs on a gate in an alley behind T Street Northwest.
Photographed by Seth Galanter, October 22, 2022
3. This photo was taken when the marker was erected.
Photographed by Sean D. Jones, October 22, 2022
4. Additional photo from when the marker was erected
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 1, 2025
5. Bear Flag historical display on the rooftop of Uproar Lounge & Restaurant a few blocks away
Credits. This page was last revised on June 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 22, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 1,217 times since then and 86 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 22, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on October 22, 2022. 4. submitted on October 22, 2022, by Sean D. Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 5. submitted on June 8, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
