Q&A With Bear World Magazine’s New Editor-in-Chief, John Hernandez

March 21, 2023
CASTEL

We're in the thick of Bear Month! Let's gather in the bear den and give a big ol' grrrr for John A. Hernandez, the newly appointed Editor-in-Chief for Bear World Magazine. He is also a contributing writer for Vacationer, Queer Forty, and Gayming Magazines, focusing on entertainment. He has a special love for all things horror and moonlights as the horror host Stan, the Mechanic, when not writing. He currently resides with his husband in New York City. Get into our exclusive interview with the horror-loving Bear.

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Can you walk us through your career leading up to this position?

I've been writing for Gray Jones Media, the company that publishes Bear World Magazine on and off as a freelancer for the last 8 years. Until 2020 I worked in the corporate world as a sourcing manager in the apparel industry but was pretty unsatisfied with it and all the stress that came with it. The opportunity to write full-time at Gray Jones came in early 2022, and I was the Staff Writer for their publications Queer Forty, with a focus on entertainment, and Vacationer, with a focus on travel. I also continued to contribute occasionally to Bear World Magazine and Gayming Magazine. When the word came out that Bear World needed a new editor, I threw my name in the ring, so to speak, and got the gig!

What attracted you to Bear World Magazine?

Well, I met the former editor and owner of Bear World Magazine, Richard Jones, 8 years ago at a spiritual retreat center in upstate New York that was doing a bear-themed weekend. I was so moved by my experience that weekend that I was inspired to write an article Richard read and published. That was the beginning of my professional relationship with the magazine, which I was unaware of until then, and it was also the beginning of my personal relationship with Richard. I began writing for Bear World more and more over time, and as we got to know each other, we started dating, fell in love, and got married. So I guess my attraction to Richard attracted me to the magazine!

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The need for inclusivity and the acknowledgment of identities has changed labels and preferences. What does the term Bear mean to you?

To me, being a bear is a mindset. It is striving to be unencumbered by the barrage of messages in our society that you must look and behave in a certain way to be accepted or included. It's about finding community with like-minded people that embrace their bodies for what they are, as they are.

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Who are some of your favorite sexy Bear content creators?

Ooooh, girl! There are many, but some that spring immediately to mind are Hunter Scott, Anthony Grey, Teddy Torres, Atlas Grant, and the beautiful men at Bear Films like Amir Badri, Daemon Sadi, Skott Locke, and Adam Jones. Also, my age is showing, but Hank Hightower may be the hottest bear porn star of all time.

Tom Katt && Hank Hightower pic.twitter.com/tNAUmAVLbr

— King of all DaddiesXXX 18+ Adult Content (@DaddyChancho) December 31, 2019

You live in NY! What is on your social calendar for Bear month? Where can we find the Bears?

Ummm, I can be very much a Jamie Lee Curtis; daddy likes to be in bed by 11 most nights, hahaha, but being a native of the NY bear scene, I got you covered! The bears gather at Ty's and Rockbar in the West Village, but there are also some great parties, like Bear Milk at the Deep End in Brooklyn and Bear Naked at Phoenix.

Can you talk to us about the differences between growing up queer and fitting into the bear mold and now?

You know, the first man I slept with at 18 years old told me, "The Bears would love you." He urged me to go down to what was then called the Dugout, now Rockbar, and that I would find men there that appreciated my size and body hair. I was always heavy, and once puberty hit very, very hairy. This man pointed me in the right direction, so I was lucky and found my tribe early on in my life. I was always a Bear and was luckily welcomed into the fold from a young age.

What are you looking forward to most in your new role?

Part of my vision for Bear World Magazine is to reach out to bear groups worldwide and truly make the magazine even more global than it already is. I want to attend more bear runs, see what people are thinking about and concerns within the bear community, and build the kind of publication I wished was available when I started.

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Are you living the life young John dreamed or envisioned? Or something close to it?

You know what, I am. In junior high school, I always dreamed of being a writer when my teachers encouraged me to pursue it. I am living my modern-day Carrie Bradshaw dream! I am married to a wonderful man, writing and editing for a magazine I am passionate about, and living in the best city in the world. I am incredibly grateful for it and realize how lucky I am.

Where does your love of all things horror come from?

My dad had so many horror movies on VHS and truly got into the Halloween spirit. It rubbed off on me, I guess.

Are there any Bear / Horror intersected media that you love?

Oh yes! The shows Demon Doctor and Skeleton Crew from Sidekick Productions are queer, fat-positive horror series. They also have a movie called A Taste of Youth coming soon, in which I make a cameo!

Who is Stan the Mechanic?

Stan is my horror-hosting character! One of my all-time favorite horror icons is Cassandra Peterson, aka Elvira, Mistress of the Dark (who I interviewed for Bear World this past October). Inspired by her and other horror hosts like Vampira and Svengoolie, I created Stan to occupy my time during the pandemic. I put on some silly skits and drop some knowledge about the films Stan is hosting. Lots of dick jokes and innuendo from an out-gay horror-hosting character. Free episodes available on stanthemechanic.com

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Finally, your favorite Bear celebs?

Oh boy, I wish there were more of them, but I'd say, Guillermo Diaz, Nakia, and the Big Dipper are my favorites, and in terms of delicious straight 'bearish' men, I have a very public crush on Pedro Pascal. Call me daddy!