This year looks to be a record breaking and bear jaw dropping event as the XXL team aim to really make London the place to be this summer.

XXL BearPride12 will see it grow Bigger, Better and Bolder than before and this year it will push beyond its former boundaries. Mark has always been keen to both progress and unite the UK and London Bear scene since he and XXL blasted on to the world's bear and club stage in 2000 with his club brand XXL. In the last few years both have become synonymous with quality and quantity, BearPride has steadily become a road blocking sellout event over the capital's hazy summer bank holiday. With international performers and customers alike, it also has loads of other "fringe events" taking place in London, both connected and unassisted but all making this one of the world's best bear circuit parties.

In 2002 Mark Ames decided that he wanted to bring the Bear Community together in celebration and to give something back. ‘Bear Necessities’ was launched. London’s first Bear Pride Event.  Sunday event was a huge success that guaranteed this as an annual event in the Bear Calendar

In 2004 decides to build on the following of ‘Bear Necessities’ and simplified the name to ‘Bear Pride’ With the success of the 2003 event word spread further afield and the 2004 Bear Pride event saw bears from all over the UK attending.

The word got out about Bear Pride. 2005 saw bears, cubs and their admirers attend from all corners of the globe. XXL Bear Pride had truly become the highlight of the International Bear Scene.

In 2006 Mark built on the success of the previous three Bear Pride Events. Mark saw that the line between the Bear and Leather community was always a bit blurred, he expanded the event to include the leather community with the bear community to produce a combined event. Bear & Leather Pride 2006 was the most successful event to date with an extended weekend of events to cater to all in the Bear & Leather Community.

After the successful 2006 bear pride event, Mark Ames scratched his head and asked himself 'How am I going to top the events of Bear Pride 2006?' Well in 2007 he came up trumps again. Not content with having Bear Pride in London, He took Bear Pride to XXL's Second Home of Birmingham. He also unleashed XXL's dirty younger brother 'XXL XTREME' on the London Scene. For the saturday night Bear Pride event he upped the stakes in Production and Performances. But the cherry on the cake was the launch of 'FUSION' the most talked about Bank Holiday Sunday Party. FUSION saw the FREEMASONS play their first London GAY gig. Was it a success? Better than ever imagined.

2007 & 2008 Bear Pride both became a landmark events with International artists and acts appearing and ever increasing attendance.

2009 and 2010 saw XXL Bear Pride events burst at the seams with hunky hairy men from all corners of the globe. Both events shattered attendance records for the Bear Pride history.

2011, and we quote, "That was the biggest and most rewarding event to date and this weekend always brought out both the new and old guards of the UK bear scene and further it truly has a 'gathering' mentality that's so up and go for it! and yet friendly that is inspirational to me to see so many ages, types, races and religions just being one it strengthens my resolve to keep both XXL and Bear Pride London at the top of its game....  " Mark Ames.

2011 saw the addition of Mark's newest venture Club Pulse - London's newest and largest super-club become involved with BP and hosted the Sunday event Bear Fusion.