This was rather funny. I was watching American Dad! last night, and there was a storyline about Stan producing holiday teddy bears as a side business. At one point, Patti LaBelle stops by the Smith house, and volunteers to have Stan and his bears for sale on her show on some fictitious shopping channel.
They are amiably chatting back and forth, when Stan says "did you know that in gay male culture, a hairy gay man is called a bear?" Patti looks kind of shocked. In real life, I believe that she and Bette Midler have acknowledged being gay icons. So I am guessing there is a good chance that she already knows the reference.
Nonetheless, I did guffaw.
It's funny that you mentioned that because when I was watching that and they said that, I thought of you :)
Jenson, I second what you said...;)
It's good to be "in" on the jokes...