June is Pride Month, a time to be your true, authentic self. Pride Month allows queer people to be loved and celebrated for being themselves. The celebration also allows people to be educated about those different than them. Anyone can be queer, and it is important to understand and accept them rather than make them feel unwanted and isolated.
Every student attending William Paterson University is familiar with the campus’s mascot. Pio, everyone’s favorite black bear, can be found at events on campus or in the tunnel system beneath the campus. However, not everyone knows the real Pio. Pio sat down with the foreverly reputable Bacon, finally willing to spread the truth of who Pio really is.
“All the students and staff on this campus think I’m just some guy in a costume, who gets paid to show up to all the events on campus. I’m not just that, I’m so much more. I’m a bear. And I don’t mean the gay kind, though Rocky the Red Hawk is kinda hot. He’s in a relationship, though. Don’t tell anyone I told you that. Like I was saying, I’m literally a bear. An actual bear.”
Pio proceeded to expand on their identity.
“You’re not listening, I’m literally a bear, dude. My pronouns are ursi/dae. I literally live in a cave system under the Student Commons. Why do you think they serve fish at the cafeteria? No one actually eats it; it’s all so they can ‘appease’ me. I’m a nice guy when you get to know me. Instead, people spray me and make loud sounds. It’s messed up, dude. It’s messed up.”
College campuses are where many people find their lifelong partners. Pio offered some advice for students.
“Us bears engage in polygyny. Basically, it’s just like a college campus out in the woods, if you know what I mean. I would highly recommend this type of relationship. However, humans seem to be more prone to jealousy than bears, so that’s maybe not for the best.”
Pio dived into pursuing what makes you happy in life.
“Love is love. Do you know what I love more than anything? Other than Rocky the Red Hawk, I mean. It’s getting up every morning, being who I want to be, and doing what I want to do. I get to go out and show support for the university I love while being the bear I know I am.”
Pio was later tased by animal control after being tracked down for not filing taxes for the 2025 fiscal year.
It’s clear to see that being yourself is hard in a world that doesn’t accept or understand you. It took courage for Pio to reveal dae true self. Pio continues a mostly peaceful life beneath the campus of William Paterson University as the one and only true, authentic Pio. It is a reminder to us all to be who we are and not what others want us to be. It also serves as a reminder to pay your taxes.
