Jimmy Trimble and Giovanni Tea: Lead with Pride, Purpose, and Heart

By Cesar A Reyes

In San Diego’s vibrant LGBTQIA+ scene, Bears San Diego stands as a beacon of community, acceptance, and celebration. This year, the organization is proudly represented by Jimmy Trimble, Mr. Bear San Diego 2025, and Giovanni Tea, San Diego Leather Bear 2025—two leaders whose stories and passions together illuminate what it truly means to belong.

Jimmy’s year as Mr. Bear San Diego has been groundbreaking in many ways. As the first trans man to hold the title, he carries not only a personal honor but also the hopes of many who see in him a path toward greater inclusion. “I hope it shows other trans folks that they, too, can step into spaces like this if they want to,” Jimmy shares. For him, this role has deepened his connection to a community that embraces all identities and offers a home where everyone is welcome just as they are.

One of Jimmy’s most vivid memories from the year was riding in a red Jeep during the Pride Parade, waving to a sea of smiling faces. Moments like that remind him—and all of us—why these spaces matter so much. Beyond the celebrations and events, Jimmy stresses that Bears San Diego is not exclusive. “You don’t need to identify as a ‘bear’ to join us,” he says. The community thrives on diversity, welcoming people who might not fit into typical social boxes. Monthly dinners, movie nights, bar gatherings, and fundraisers provide countless ways to connect, grow, and feel at home.

Jimmy’s advice for future titleholders is straightforward but wise: be ready to build confidence and social skills, because this role challenges you in new and unexpected ways. Yet it also offers growth and the chance to contribute meaningfully to a community that’s become a family for many.

Alongside Jimmy is Giovanni Tea, San Diego Leather Bear 2025, whose presence brings another vital dimension to Bears San Diego. As a queer, non-binary leather artisan, Giovanni’s passion for creating leather clothes and gear is matched by their dedication to cultivating spaces of acceptance and creativity. For Giovanni, being a Bear is “more than an identity. It’s a state of being welcoming, friendly, and laid-back.” This spirit is something they’ve embraced fully, inspired by Jimmy’s leadership and the community’s openness.

Giovanni’s year has been about carving new paths and making opportunities rather than waiting for them. They emphasize the importance of kindness, especially when people look to them for steadiness: “Survival teaches us how to get by, but thriving requires learning when to let go and protect our peace.” This balance between resilience and self-care is a thread woven through their work and leadership.

Events like the Queer Pink Pony Daytime Dance Party and the Queer Leather Fantasy Film Fest, both curated by Giovanni, stand as testaments to their vision. These gatherings weren’t just fundraisers—they were celebrations of queer identity in all its beautiful complexity, places where people could come as they are and leave feeling welcomed and connected.

The political climate has made organizing these events more challenging, as Giovanni notes that simply gathering can feel risky for people with intersecting marginalized identities. Yet, the courage of community members who show up continues to inspire both Giovanni and Jimmy.

As BearQuake 2025 approaches, both Jimmy and Giovanni are gearing up for a weekend filled with connection and celebration. Here’s the full schedule for the weekend:

Thursday, Oct. 16: The weekend kicks off with the final All-Clubs Bonfire at Vacation Isle, followed by a Bear-themed night at Club San Diego—perfect for gathering old friends and making new ones in a relaxed atmosphere.

Friday, Oct. 17: The energy ramps up with the Bearly Legal Jock Party & Auction at PECS starting at 8 pm. This lively event features models of all shapes and sizes and benefits from sponsors like Humanity, BearSKN, and JockMail, blending community fun with fundraising.

Saturday, Oct. 18: The party continues at AWOL with a roast in honor of Jeff Breeze’s 50th birthday, an evening filled with laughter, love, and celebration for a beloved community member. Before that, there’s a BearQuake Brunchat R Place.

Sunday, Oct. 19: The weekend closes with the Grand Finale at Rich’s. Doors open at 5 pm with a reception, food, and plenty of auction items to explore. This event includes an incredible drag show featuring Marty Mars (Miss Goldilocks 2026), CleoFatra, Prince Iridescent, Whorchata, and more. It’s also the night Jimmy will step aside to welcome the new Mr. Bear San Diego 2026.

Though the Bear Flag won’t be raised at Pride Plaza this year due to construction, the weekend is packed with events that capture the heart and spirit of the community.

Together, Jimmy and Giovanni embody the heart of Bears San Diego: a community that lifts up all identities, encourages kindness, and offers a place where people can be their full, authentic selves. Giovanni reflects on the acceptance they’ve found here: “Bears San Diego has accepted me in all my complexity, without asking me to change who I am.” Jimmy’s closing thought sums it up, “To me, Bears San Diego is all about creating a place where everyone feels at home, just as they are.”

In a world often marked by division and expectation, Bears San Diego and its leaders remind us of something essential: a true community welcomes you not despite your differences, but because of them.