A chub is an overweight or obesegay man who identifies as being part of the chubby culture. Although there is some overlap between chubs and bears, chubs have their own distinct subculture and community. There are bars, organizations and social events specifically catering to this subculture, which allows members of the community to socialize with each other and develop social networks. In the last several years, large regional social events for gay chubs have developed. They often feature pageants in which titles are given to winners, such as "Mr. Chubby International" and "Mr. Chaser International". In the United States, there is an annual national event, Convergence, as well as several annual regional gatherings. There is also an annual event in Europe called European Big Men's Convergence. These events are held in different cities each year and are usually hosted by that city's local big men's organization. Japan has also had a large but relatively silent chub community, with Samson being one of the oldest forms of Japanese media which focuses on Gay Chubs.
Terminology
These definitions are general in nature; specific definitions may vary depending on the perspective of the individual.
Chubby or chub – a large, overweight, or obese man
Superchub – a chub who is extremely large
megachub - bigger superchub
Bear – a man with a stocky or heavyset build; typically hairy body and facial hair; sometimes older and displaying a masculine appearance and mannerisms
Chubby bear – a bear who is particularly large; this term has risen in use as the term "bear" has become more mainstream and broadened to include smaller men
Chaser – someone who is sexually or romantically attracted to chubs or bears, but himself has a small body type. The term chaser is sometimes used in various communities to describe an outsider who is sexually attracted to people within the community
Chub for chub – a chub who is sexually or emotionally attracted to other chubby men
Girth & Mirth – a formerly widespread name for clubs of big men and their admirers
Big Men's Club – another term used to define clubs and organizations for gay and bisexual men and their male admirers
BeefyFrat – was a popular gainer/feeder social network, it folded sometime around 2014 - having been abandoned by its creator
The Chub subculture is often found to overlap with the Bear subculture. Though there is no strict terminology which differentiates between the two groups, it may be noted that most Bears also associate themselves as Chubs, though Chubs may not necessarily associate themselves with the Bear subculture.
History
While casual social networks for chubby men and chasers had long existed, the first organized social group in the United States, Girth & Mirth, formed in 1976 in San Francisco. The following year, a chapter was organized in Boston, and in 1978 the New York chapter started. Conventions were held in cities such as San Francisco, Chicago, and New York City as early as 1977 or 1978 with large numbers of chubbies and chasers attending. Formally organized Convergence conventions in the United States were first held in Seattle in 1986. Several chapters are now active across the United States, mostly in large and diverse cities.
Additional Links
"Fat Gay Men: Girth, Mirth and the Politics of Stigma" by Jason Whitesel
