I've talked to one furry friend out of Louisiana and got some questions answered from his point of view. but I want to get a more local view of the furry community. So if you don't mind, I have some questions for you guys (and gals, too!). To make it easy to read, I'll bulletpoint them:
(After a few answers, I've edited the questions, in the hope of sounding more open)
-What was the moment you discovered you were a furry, what got you on the path, what made you say "I got to be a part of this"?
-Was there any reason whatsoever that held you back from entering the furry community sooner?
-Did anyone have trouble dealing with you being furry?
-Does being furry make you feel better about yourself, add a little more spring to your step?
-What do you think makes someone a furry? What would your checklist look like?
-Do you believe there's an age limit, or is it part of you for the rest of your life?
-Do you believe it ever too old to enter the furry world? (excluding the obvious, Death)
#- This is aimed more at furries living in smaller cities (roughly 100,000 citizens or less) but feel free to answer if you feel this still applies to you:
-Do you find it more difficult or easier to be furry in smaller general population areas?
-Do you feel the smaller population keeps you less active in the furry community or more active?
-Do you feel that a smaller population allows you to get to know the local furries more personally?
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and to those that answer, thank you again for your time to compose a response.
There are some other questions further down the page
I might have gotten the wrong impression, but it kinda feels like you just took a list of questions for gay people and changed the word 'gay' for 'furry'.
It wasn't my intention for it to come out like that. I was wondering, because, for some people there was/is little to no problem, and for others, there was/is some struggle on the path to being furry. For some, the coming out about being furry was/is a huge hurdle not easily jumped over without landing on your face.
As you pointed out, it does look like I switched words on the questions, but I'm sure not everyone transitioned to the furry world so easily or smoothly, and was wondering what bumps and hiccups people faced on their way to coming out about being furry
-What was the light-bulb moment when your realized you were furry?
Not really a "light-bulb," more like a gradual effect of discovery. Started drawing dragons one day long ago. Decided I wanted to find a place to showcase my artwork. Found a couple websites that catered to furry art and began learning what it was to be a furry, etc.
-Did you struggle with coming to grips with the fact you're a furry?
Haha nope. It's just a part of who I am. If I really didn't like it, or felt ashamed of it, I probably would stop being one.
-If any issues arose, how did you deal with people, such as friends and family members, that arose when you came out as furry?
My friends are my friends because they can put up with my shenanigans and like having me around. My family don't give a damn as long as I'm a good person and I do well in life. I never had any real issues from being a furry because I try to make myself out to be a good, reliable guy who knows how to get shit done. I've had a few people get a bit weirded out when they find out I'm an artist, and question leads to question leads to, "I draw furry art," but I've been a furry for 10 years now, and I've gotten good at explaining exactly what it means to be a furry and keeping it clean and harmless. Nearly all my co-workers know, after 6 months at my current job, and most of them think it's actually kinda cool. The ones who don't are the 50-year-olds who think it's just something them youngsters are gettin' up to nowadays.
-Do you feel it was one of your best choices to come out as furry?
Uhh... I guess so? I've made a ton of awesome friends through being a furry that I wouldn't have if I wasn't. I probably wouldn't be half the artist I am today without all the help I've gleaned from other fur artists. I probably wouldn't be quite as much of an eccentric conversation piece for my co-workers to gab about.
-Did coming out as a furry lift any size burden of any kind (eg.: mental, social) off of you?
Lol no. It was just something that happened to fall into place for no other reason than it felt right and I have fun doing it.
-What do you think makes someone a furry? What would your checklist look like?
Any person who identifies themselves as an animal/fictional creature and puts any real thought into it for the purpose of escapism or spirituality or both.
-Do you believe there's an age limit, or is it part of you for the rest of your life?
I've met a 9 year old furry and I know a couple 50+ year old furries. I'm 23, and it certainly doesn't seem to have an end in sight at this very moment. I know that people change over time, but I do feel like this is something that will be a part of me for life.
-Do you believe it ever too old to enter the furry world? (excluding the obvious, Death)
Nope. Anyone who feels like their place is in the furry community is probably correct, regardless of their age.
#- This is aimed more at furries living in smaller cities (roughly 100,000 citizens or less) but feel free to answer if you feel this still applies to you:
-Do you find it more difficult or easier to be furry in smaller general population areas?
A bit tougher. I know most of fur-fandom is on the internet, but I do like to actually physically hang-out with my furry friends far more than just chatting with them online. It kinda sucks when you live in a town where furs are few and far between.
-Do you feel the smaller population keeps you less active in the furry community or more active?
Hmm... tough call. I feel that it makes me more active in the ONLINE portion if there's nobody around to chill with; but I'm far more active in the OFFLINE hangouts and get-togethers when there are other furries around to hang-out with.
-Do you feel that a smaller population allows you to get to know the local furries more personally
Lol what local furries? =P I only just found out this last month that we even HAD other furs in my city, and that was even because I was in Vancouver hanging out with the larger group. I don't know them that well yet, but I'm sure I will.
While I enjoyed answering these questions, I do have to agree with Wildfire. I seriously read this as if someone took a questionnaire for gays and swapped it out for furries. But whatever, either way, I hope my answers were at least somewhat informative. =)
-What was the light-bulb moment when your realized you were furry?
I didn't "realize" I was a furry. Furry is a hobby and I chose to be into the fandom a couple of years ago.
-Did you struggle with coming to grips with the fact you're a furry?
... No. It is a fun thing and I chose to be in the fandom.
-If any issues arose, how did you deal with people, such as friends and family members, that arose when you came out as furry?
You can't "come out" as a furry. It is a hobby. Do you "come out" as a model airplane builder? Singer? football player?
-Do you feel it was one of your best choices to come out as furry?
For making friends, yes.
-Did coming out as a furry lift any size burden of any kind (eg.: mental, social) off of you?
I didn't "come out" and even if it was a case of that, no.
-What do you think makes someone a furry? What would your checklist look like?
You have to like anthropomorphic animals and have your own character.
-Do you believe there's an age limit, or is it part of you for the rest of your life?
There is no age limit, and you can grow out of the fandom whenever you want... if you want to.
-Do you believe it ever too old to enter the furry world? (excluding the obvious, Death)
No.
#- This is aimed more at furries living in smaller cities (roughly 100,000 citizens or less) but feel free to answer if you feel this still applies to you:
-Do you find it more difficult or easier to be furry in smaller general population areas?
It doesn't matter where you are to have hobbies.
-Do you feel the smaller population keeps you less active in the furry community or more active?
Less opportunity to be active... but I am not a very active person anyway.
-Do you feel that a smaller population allows you to get to know the local furries more personally?
When I eventually meet more of them, I guess so.
I apologize if I have offended anyone with any of the questions. I'm trying to get a general consensus about the furry community, and trying to get a more personal view at the same time. I realize now some of the original questions do seem off, but I'm trying to gather information for personal reasons. When I used the words "come out" in the original questions, I didn't mean for it to sound like a big deal, it was more of just letting people know what you do.
I have edited the questions, in hopes of sounding less offensive. I'm not trying to make enemies, but simply gather information, and I again apologize if I have offended anyone with these or the original questions. Hopefully we can work together in getting the most useful information.
The only reason I asked the age question is I notice a lot of you are in your 20's, and could falsely give the impression to someone older that this is a younger person thing and they're too old to be a part of it. but I can clearly see from a couple responses, there is no such thing as "can't teach an old dog new tricks" here
Alright, let me ease into my writer's chair as I formulate a set of responses.
I have orange'd certain key points for your convenience.
It's difficult to pinpoint to one particular moment with respect to discovering that I'm a furry, but it is about six years ago. That time, I tried to consider myself more of an anthro than a furry, as I felt that there has to be some sort of distinction - anthro being more orientated to animals and furries as being more orientated to human-like. This was six years ago so of course my perspectives and definitions have changed. Nowadays, to me, the definition of being anthro and being furry are quite interchangeable. But, as they always state, your mileage may vary.
What got me onto the path? I have to say it's thanks to Pokémon. I doubt that's a surprising answer to many furries born in the 90s. I was attached to Pokémon furries for quite a while, and that's the time when my interest in being a part of the furry community manifested into non-Pokémon dimensions
There are several reasons that I can ascribe to. I was bullied much during middle school, so that's one reason. Secondly, as I only moved to Vancouver from Hong Kong three years ago (in short, I was born in Hong Kong), I have yet to find a furry community in Hong Kong.
Yeah, it's usually by my parents, claiming they were uncomfortable with me getting into groups that are outside of school. In addition, they were a bit irked out by the folks in fursuits. I didn't come out of the "furry closet" during school because I was already bullied in terms of many other things. High school was fine, but hey, sometimes its better to confine in until you turn over a new leaf in university, which I did.
"Being" may be a tad strong word in this case, but I'll let it pass. To me, my sense of furriness is one amidst many interests of my own, but having said that, I was always interested in canines ever since I was a kid, so yeah, my interest in the furry community did add a bit more of a "spring to my step" ad verbatim.
Having a strong interest and identification in an animal totem of sorts would be a prime indication of "being" furry, though definitions are always subject to a sense of volatility. Thus, I may not be able to provide a checklist as per your request.
To me, responsibility exists before age. If everyone, in theory, are responsible of their interests, furry or sans furry, then there is no need of a chiseled-in-stone age limit. It does not matter if you are ten years old or a hundred years old, you can hop in on the furry wagon at any time you please.
I grew up in a city of 7 million people and counting, though I'd like to visit furry communities in smaller cities some time into the future.
------ For Tef,
As you stated, your parents had/have trouble dealing with the fact you're involved with the furry community. How did you let them know you were part of the furry community?, did you just straight out tell them or did you let them gradually in on it?
*If anyone else wants to chime in on this question, it would be great help. As I know family can be hardest to deal with things like this.
------ For Zenia
-If any issues arose, how did you deal with people, such as friends and family members, that arose when you came out as furry?
You can't "come out" as a furry. It is a hobby. Do you "come out" as a model airplane builder? Singer? football player?
I don't want to sound defensive, I'm not. I just want you to know were I'm coming from. btw, love the nursery sign, got a laugh out of it
Also, I understand what you're saying here, but furry isn't as accepted as the three examples you gave. in the case of the model builder, most people would go "that's nice", think "whatever" and go about on their way, and with singers and football players, most people would assume they're going to try and make it big, or just simply showing they have a talent. The three examples lack any real negative backlash due to the fact they're fairly understood by the general population.
The problem is that furry is not so well understood, and some people go "what the heck is wrong with that person" and the misconception could lead to issues about being furry with other people, I know you shouldn't care what other people think if you truly like something, but some people can't get past that hurdle, due to fear of negative backlash (unnecessary or not), as they lack enough confidence "to set forth into the brave new frontier that lies ahead of them"
Yeah, in a sense. It's the explanation that follows that is worthy of note for your interview. The first thing that someone would state, if they are unfamiliar with furries is "What is a furry?" This was a major stumbling block for me. Despite saying that I'm a furry, I continued to use "an appreciation for animals" in place for furry whenever possible for a few months. I think my parents are okay with me stating that I'm a furry now. I showed 'em what I've gotten from VFur and they're pretty cool with it.
I've got more answers to add onto "What got you on your furry path" if that's okay with you.
The Chinese Zodiac - it's to do with spiritually associating yourself with an animal of sorts. I was already aware that I was born in the year of the goat before I knew I was a furry, despite the fact that my fursona is a sled dog.
Chinese Martial Arts in general, mainly for the fact that I am a fan of kung fu, and certain moves and schools of forms are named after animals. As a casual artist, I find inspiration in drawing "choreographed" furry fight scenes at times.
Actually, I'm not doing an interview for any publication, I just want to get some answer to questions I have, and I thought this would great to get sense of what furry is like here in BC
Ahkay, my bad. xP;
First I agree with what others have said about the words "furry" and "Gay" being interchangeable in all the questions.
Second this sounds very much like an interview for a paper or a blog....
Thirdly, with what recently happened with a certain online article I'm not going divulge any of my experiences with furry to you.
I wish you luck getting answers to your questions(whether they are the ones you seek or not) I also hope that you get more replies like Tef's, Zenia's and Naetholix's
I didn't mean for it to come out like that. I just don't know how else to ask the questions. the questions are only to satisfy my own curiosity and gain a better understanding of what furry is.
Yeah unfortunately due to lack of mainstream knowledge, I can assume the article was putting the furry community in a bad light, but if it's not too much of a bother, could you link me to that article, I'm curious what it has to say.
I find things like these highly interesting so I will divulge!
-What was the moment you discovered you were a furry, what got you on the path, what made you say "I got to be a part of this"?
I would say it all sparked for me August 21st 2001. A sudden interest in Dragons lead me to some online communities and from there all the dots kinda connected in my head that I had a LOT in common with these people. ^.=.^ lol yeah I literally call Aug 21st my Furry/Dragon birthday. XD
-Was there any reason whatsoever that held you back from entering the furry community sooner?
Oh god, no, it was all situational. I had become part of the comunity very shortly after learning about it cause it seemed like my kinda place/people. :D
-Did anyone have trouble dealing with you being furry?
Mmm my parents at some points.. but parents will be parents.
-Does being furry make you feel better about yourself, add a little more spring to your step?
I have told people "If I wasn't who I was.. I would probably be a very dull person to be around IRL. I have standard interests and standard hobbies, but its really the Dragon side of me that really shows all the flare and in a sense helped me develop into who I am today." and I stand by that, the furry community always brings out the colorful individual in all of us.
-What do you think makes someone a furry? What would your checklist look like?
Isnt that the million dollar question hahaha, I think the only root thing most could agree on is a interest in animals and fantasy.
-Do you believe there's an age limit, or is it part of you for the rest of your life?
Oh hell no, given the fandom is mostly teens and 20-somthings, but I have seen many older furs and honestly admire them deep down for withstanding the tests of time. All our lives we are pressed to become part of this watered down bland society where individuality and deeper personal identity are generally frowned upon, so to me, for an older fur to be able to stand up and still enjoy everything the fandom has to offer is actually quite impressive to me, its shows that they are really a strong character. As for myself, my identity is pretty deep seeded in me, I have lasted 11 years so far and have only been getting more active in this community. I can honestly see if being a part of me still even as I age.
-Do you believe it ever too old to enter the furry world? (excluding the obvious, Death)
Never. Its all in how open your mind is ^^
#- This is aimed more at furries living in smaller cities (roughly 100,000 citizens or less) but feel free to answer if you feel this still applies to you:
-Do you find it more difficult or easier to be furry in smaller general population areas?
Less furs = less hangouts = less socializing so I would say that it can be. But even that is very debatable.
-Do you feel the smaller population keeps you less active in the furry community or more active?
For sure, if more meets happened I would go to them, if I knew more furs I would be talking to them and hanging out with them. I love to meet other furs and to get to know them on a more personal basis. ^.=.^
-Do you feel that a smaller population allows you to get to know the local furries more personally?
Most certainly! In larger groups its harder to ever just talk to one person or see them more often. When you only know a small core of like 2-12 furs or so, you really get to actually know who they are past the fur, scales and feathers.
-Do you believe a lack of proper knowledge of what furry really is, is keeping more people from joining up?
-What would you do to clean up the misconception of what furry is to the general public?
-What are some common misconceptions about furry that you like to correct right now?
: bigjonesb April 05, 2012, 04:51:30 -06:00I understand what you're saying here, but furry isn't as accepted as the three examples you gave.
*shrugs* Everyone I know in real life didn't even know what furries were until I mentioned that I draw furry art and had to doodle a picture of my fursona to show them. They were like "Oh, that is pretty cool!"
: bigjonesb April 05, 2012, 07:09:21 -06:00
-Do you believe a lack of proper knowledge of what furry really is, is keeping more people from joining up?
-What would you do to clean up the misconception of what furry is to the general public?
-What are some common misconceptions about furry that you like to correct right now?
Ahhh now we get to the juicy controversy XD
-Do you believe a lack of proper knowledge of what furry really is, is keeping more people from joining up?
I could see it keeping some people away, but not everyone is gonna understand furrys or want to understand, one has to understand there are people out there who regardless of how you present furry to them, will just hate everything about it. I know many furs who came into this fandom just by seeing the CSI episode O.=.o and that was furry portrayal at its worst hahaha.
-What would you do to clean up the misconception of what furry is to the general public?
Mmm this sorta ties in with the first question, we have been trying ever since furrys started getting mass media attention, all we can do is put our best foot forward. at the same time we have to not make the adult thing so taboo, the media and the general public can tell we are dodging the questions about that side of the fandom and that leads to as many bad conclusions as outright saying "most of us are gay and think foxes are hawt" we have to be able to stand strong regardless, if we avoid the questions and try and hide it then we are really saying that the adult side of things is as big as everyone thinks.
-What are some common misconceptions about furry that you like to correct right now?
Honestly.. this is a hard one to answer. I could make a list about different types of furs, spirituality, fetishes, fursuits.. the works, but I would be here for ever and I would have written a novel that would give the length of the Harry Potter series a run for its money hahaha.Pretty much every single assumption about this fandom has its own degree of truth behind it. Fursuit sex? yes it happens. Furs who believe they truly are animals at heart? yes. (hell I am one lol) Furrys who are engrossed in the adult side of the fandom? bleeding obviously yes. Its hard to disprove anything because the community is so big and encompasses so many different types of people, we are a melting pot sub-culture. It only just makes me cringe and face palm to see furs out there who go "noooope,. no adult stuff happens, that's all just rumor, all fox-news ilk lies.. We are enthusiasts of animals who just like to draw and play video games!"
I know I look like total idiot now, but my questions were to be about if there were any hiccups about joining the furry culture, any mental stigmas, roadblocks or was it just a bing bang tada step, not to insinuate that furries are bad, hell if anything I'm trying to find the good, double hell, I was beginning to think I might've been one after talking to that one guy from Louisiana, hence why I came here, but due to not so great questions that wound up stepping on everyone's tail in the process and the some of somewhat negative responses I'm getting. I feel maybe I was wrong, to be honest, I feel a little bullied right now.
Honestly I want to help Furries be better understood, but you got to help me understand what it is, so I can put a brighter light on it. I know there's some bad press out there, some go as far as to say it's nothing but a fetish. Now I'm just one guy with little to no connections but I want to help move Furry forward, make it as well known as like Zenia's three examples.
I know the questions now seem like junk as if plagiarized it from a gay questionnaire, but I was basically trying to ask how did you deal with family when the subject comes up, because I'm sure some of you had, now unwarranted, fears about what they would do to you), have you lost some friends because they got all weirded out about it, and refused to understand, how did you find out about furry, and and how quickly did you adopt it as something you wanted to be a part of. that kind of stuff
Zenia, it's a good thing you told your friends about furries before they found out from somewhere else, now they know to turn to you if they have any questions and want to know the truth
I'm digging this discussion so far. Let me thank you in advance, bigjonesb.
These three questions can be answered as one for me.
It is because there is a lack of proper knowledge, that creates a stumbling hurdle for would-be furries. I know I'm stating the obvious, but since these questions are directed at a western furry audience, I will answer to the best of my ability in the western context. Besides, it's only when I came to Vancouver that I realized there is a BC Furries group.
The media is the culprit. The media puts these images in their consumers' heads, stuff that they deem as "juicy" and "controversial" as being hot picks. They take aspects of the fandom and turn it into a defining identity - almost synonymous with a stereotype. My sociology minor think-tank of a mind would state that Michel Foucault would have a field day with his concept of docile bodies regarding how the general western populace laps and conform to whatever landfill the media pulls onto us. Deviation are the seeds for the sprouting of ridicule and the flowering of stigma.
It's hard to express deviation in the furry fandom of sorts - you're gonna run a risk of eliciting a "Aha! I KNEW it!" response from the media.
I got into the fandom during my 3rd year. If being furry was really a walk in the park, I can state that I'll be able to get into knowing about the fandom way sooner.
Until the general populace can take a scalpel and slice a line between individual aspects and defining identities+stereotypes, misconceptions will exist till the end of time.
Drake makes a good point, How do you let people know that, what some might call the darker side of furry, does exist but doesn't mean everyone has to participate in it. I think there lies the problem, I guess it could almost be the equivalent of saying all gun owners are going to shoot someone because a small group use guns to do that. Some gun owners will never even fire their gun, they might just want to collect them.
Tef I definitely give you that one. The media hasn't exactly been good to any group, black people in the 50's, gay in the 70's-80's, now the cannon is aimed on you guys in an attempt to keep you down. even now those groups still face some sort of edging out, but clearly as you can see none of those worked out, people will find out the truth if they want to. that's why I want get more info from you guys and not wikipedia.
I know some people will hate almost anything just because they can, if it isn't something pertaining to them, they hate it. Unfortunately I know a guy like that on xbox, I've told my Louisiana "fur"iend (I believe you guys are familiar with the term) to avoid joining me in parties if I am in there with him, As I don't want to see him get entangled with the guy, more for my sake as I'd feel bad if he did get verbally attacked by said fellow. Also unfortunately said fellow plays driving games whereas my Louisiana furiend is more into COD and Battlefield(not really my cup of tea)
: bigjonesb April 05, 2012, 10:20:14 -06:00
I know I look like total idiot now, but my questions were to be about if there were any hiccups about joining the furry culture, any mental stigmas, roadblocks or was it just a bing bang tada step, not to insinuate that furries are bad, hell if anything I'm trying to find the good, double hell, I was beginning to think I might've been one after talking to that one guy from Louisiana, hence why I came here, but due to not so great questions that wound up stepping on everyone's tail in the process and the some of somewhat negative responses I'm getting. I feel maybe I was wrong, to be honest, I feel a little bullied right now.
Don't sweat it man, there are just those who are very... edgy and defensive about talking about the furry fandom on such levels. Usually the mindset seems to be to avoid such discussions at all costs and go all DEFCON 3. My personal opinion on it would simply be, if one is uncomfortable talking about such deeper social topics regarding the fandom then perhaps they just need to just not post if they can't contribute anything aside negativity about the subject. I have never liked when a topic gets that type of attention due to people not being able to handle a discussion.
Haha... You could almost say I live for this stuff, I like when someone can engage on a level that's more than "whats your favorite species" or "why I like being furry"
: bigjonesb April 05, 2012, 10:48:43 -06:00
Tef I definitely give you that one. The media hasn't exactly been good to any group, black people in the 50's, gay in the 70's-80's, now the cannon is aimed on you guys in an attempt to keep you down. even now those groups still face some sort of edging out, but clearly as you can see none of those worked out, people will find out the truth if they want to. that's why I want get more info from you guys and not wikipedia.
Aye, it's the "bogeyman" mentality in short.
: bigjonesb April 05, 2012, 04:19:36 -06:00-What was the moment you discovered you were a furry, what got you on the path, what made you say "I got to be a part of this"?
I used to pretend to be an animal a lot while I was growing up, though Disney's Robin Hood was the more proximate cause. I wanted to get into it as soon as I discovered there was a community (this was back in 1994 and finding anything you wanted on the Internet wasn't quite as simple as it is now).
: bigjonesb April 05, 2012, 04:19:36 -06:00-Was there any reason whatsoever that held you back from entering the furry community sooner?
Other than not knowing it existed, nope. Ironically, I logged on to FurryMUCK several months before I properly discovered it, but I couldn't figure it out and the thing about it being a virtual world full of animal people hadn't quite registered with me.
: bigjonesb April 05, 2012, 04:19:36 -06:00-Did anyone have trouble dealing with you being furry?
I got a little bit of grief about it in high school, but not significantly more than I already got as a nerd.
: bigjonesb April 05, 2012, 04:19:36 -06:00-Does being furry make you feel better about yourself, add a little more spring to your step?
Not as such, I don't think. It's an interesting community to be a part of, though.
: bigjonesb April 05, 2012, 04:19:36 -06:00-What do you think makes someone a furry? What would your checklist look like?
I think all you have to do is have an interest in anthropomorphic animals and claim the label. I'm not interested in second-guessing anyone's furriness.
: bigjonesb April 05, 2012, 04:19:36 -06:00-Do you believe there's an age limit, or is it part of you for the rest of your life?
I think it's a lifetime thing for me. I can see people drifting away from the community but still being interested in the subject matter, though. I don't think it's about age at all.
: bigjonesb April 05, 2012, 04:19:36 -06:00-Do you believe it ever too old to enter the furry world? (excluding the obvious, Death)
No.
: bigjonesb April 05, 2012, 07:09:21 -06:00
-Do you believe a lack of proper knowledge of what furry really is, is keeping more people from joining up?
It probably doesn't help.
: bigjonesb April 05, 2012, 07:09:21 -06:00
-What would you do to clean up the misconception of what furry is to the general public?
I'd like to tell people that furry is a large, diverse group full of lots of different kinds of people expressing their furriness in lots of different and perfectly valid ways, and that anyone who calls him or herself a spokesperson or claims to speak for all of us is not and does not.
: bigjonesb April 05, 2012, 07:09:21 -06:00-What are some common misconceptions about furry that you like to correct right now?
I am disgusted with the way furries are depicted on television. We are not all vibrant, fun-loving sex maniacs. Many of us are bitter, resentful individuals who remember the good old days when entertainment was bland and inoffensive.
...okay, that's not my opinion, I just wanted to steal that from The Simpsons.
: bigjonesb April 05, 2012, 10:48:43 -06:00
The media hasn't exactly been good to any group, black people in the 50's, gay in the 70's-80's, now the cannon is aimed on you guys in an attempt to keep you down.
Equating the "struggle" of furries to the struggles of blacks and gays is frankly offensive to me as a queer person. It is NOTHING by comparison. Not even close.
: Silvermink April 05, 2012, 11:13:48 -06:00Equating the "struggle" of furries to the struggles of blacks and gays is frankly offensive to me ... . It is NOTHING by comparison. Not even close.
I agree with this part.
It bugs me when anyone treats being furry as a huge identifier... something you can't change, like being black, white, gay, straight, etc. Being a furry is a hobby. It is just a fandom much like being a big fan of Xena, House, Dr Who, etc.
Silvermink, Thank you, I appreciate the response.
Apologies for making it sound like the struggles of gays and blacks seem little, I know they weren't, but I was referring the fact that media has a tendency to poorly execute proper display of anything "Out of the Norm" (something not from cookie cutter society)
I remember that part - "Grandpa" Simpson writing to Buzz Cola company on the typewriter:
I am disgusted with the way seniors are depicted on television. We are not all vibrant, fun-loving sex maniacs. Many of us are bitter, resentful individuals who remember the good old days when entertainment was bland and inoffensive.
: zenia April 05, 2012, 11:27:24 -06:00
I agree with this part.
It bugs me when anyone treats being furry as a huge identifier... something you can't change, like being black, white, gay, straight, etc. Being a furry is a hobby. It is just a fandom much like being a big fan of Xena, House, Dr Who, etc.
Well, for YOU it is a hobby, you have made that very very clear. I think you are over simplifying the issue though and the degrading the fandom by just slapping the label "hobby" on it.
A hobby is just something you enjoy but doesn't define you aside just being an interest of yours. Its pretty much saying "yeah, I enjoy it kinda, I like to do it every so often, but if pressed I could just give it up" RC cars are a hobby, woodworking is a hobby, racing your car on a track is a hobby. But being a furry, creating an identity and a name for yourself, going to group meetups, doing art. That is a lot more complex than what a hobby entails. When one (for example) gets into RC cars, they don't create some name and identity for themselves, they don't just go "Im Xthanor Blazeskull, the master of the 4 wheel'd fury truck and this is how I look as a race driver" Furry vastly stands apart in this aspect because people DO create a entire new name and identity for themselves.
: zenia April 05, 2012, 11:27:24 -06:00
Being a furry is a hobby. It is just a fandom much like being a big fan of Xena, House, Dr Who, etc.
I'm going to have to strongly disagree with this comment. Being furry is more then "just a hobby". I happen to be into the RC car hobby and i can definitely say that it's not something I identify as me. I don't have an RC truck because I see myself spiritually as a monster truck driver.
Basically saying it's a "hobby" is like saying it's just something you just do on the side for a source of entertainment. To most furries it's a LOT more then that. To me being furry is something more spiritual then something just for fun. You don't go to someone and say that Christianity is "just a hobby" do you?
I know I'm coming from the more spiritual side of things. But I'm sure others might agree that it's more then just a "hobby".
That is why I was hard pressed to word my question right, to some it's a hobby, to others it's a part of their life that will be with them in the nursing home until either a horrible disease plays with their brain or they meet their end. I didn't want to diminish the furry culture as a hobby to those who hold furry with more regard, but i didn't want overstep it either as not to ignore the hobby group, there are various levels of being a part the furry community and i tried (horribly) to get a questions that i thought would get answered with the most responses, by trying to word it right.
I can understand why some of you are guarded about it, especially when a newcomer like me comes in and starts asking questions. You fear you're going to have your words twisted in to some kind of demented concoction of bad publicity dribble. I was only asking question to understand and maybe find out along the way that I could be a part of your group. I have no intentions of slandering furries, especially if I find out I am one. If I am one, why would I slander myself?, Right now I'm sitting on the fence looking for some hands (or paws as the case may be) to help and see if I fit in.
All I'm looking for is a fair chance, this is taking a fair bit out of me, as I have many fears, frustrations and worries on my mind right now. I appreciate the positive input some people have given me, as I know it's not the easiest thing to talk to a total stranger. When I get the negative input, I feel like a dog with it's tail tucked in, peeing itself, in fear that I've ticked off everyone. Simply stated, it hurts
The base reason I'm asking questions is,1. if I do find out along the way that I'm furry, is I'll know what to do in situations if they arise, such how do you deal with family member you care about and want assure that this is nothing wrong. 2. I don't want to do something stupid and degrade the furry culture any worse, it doesn't need that. The questions were meant to be like a hand guide, so to speak, for new furries, who might not know how to handle some situations that might come up on them on their path to discovery.
It is impossible to generalize how everyone feels about the fandom. Which is why to me it is a hobby (albeit one that I am more invested in that say, liking the TV series 'Xena') but others have some sort of spiritual connection with it. Personally... I don't get the spiritual thing. Not at all.
So people get mad at me for saying it is a hobby (and don't mention the people that are spiritual about it), but I get mad when people say it is a 'deep, spiritual connection' as if it is the only way it can be. You just have to take it on a case by case basis I guess, and don't lump everyone together in one stereotype.
: zenia April 06, 2012, 12:49:02 -06:00
but I get mad when people say it is a 'deep, spiritual connection' as if it is the only way it can be.
I would have been less perturbed if you had specifically said that's what it was to
you you did sound like you were generalizing. Might not have been what you intended, but it's how i read it. As for you getting mad at it being spiritual. Why? I didn't say that's the way it has to be. And i have yet to see anyone say that's the way it has to be. People are in the fandom for different reasons. Should just accept it as that. Nothing to be mad at.
: zenia April 06, 2012, 12:49:02 -06:00
It is impossible to generalize how everyone feels about the fandom. Which is why to me it is a hobby (albeit one that I am more invested in that say, liking the TV series 'Xena') but others have some sort of spiritual connection with it. Personally... I don't get the spiritual thing. Not at all.
So people get mad at me for saying it is a hobby, but I get mad when people say it is a 'deep, spiritual connection.' You just have to take it on a case by case basis I guess, and don't lump everyone together in one stereotype.
It wasn't the fact that it was a hobby to you, it was just with how you worded your previous posts saying how that for everyone it was nothing but a hobby. I can't really fault you for not getting the spiritual branch of the fandom, hell many don't and just subsequently avoid it all together (still don't understand why you get actually mad as it was never said that the fandom is all spiritual and nothing else). This fandom has a lot of different types. reminds me of old debates of long ago, but back then it was more of a furry lifestylers VS furry fans. Pretty much the same deal. just some people who viewed the community as a big part of who they were, something they carried with them everywhere (spiritual or not) and then on the other hand, those who just viewed the fandom as something fun to do, but more of a just-online sorta thing. kinda like the second they stepped away from the computer they were now your average joe.
Bigjonesb:
Like I said before, don't sweat it. Its just one of those things that many people don't feel so open to talk about regardless of how one words it. Many people got this Media Fear.. I have cringed multiple times throughout this tread at some of the blunt replies I have witnessed. If what you were simply looking for was some sense of what the fandom is all about and where you think you might fit in. The simplest advice I could give is to just explore. browse the net, there are many forums and communities out there and many art sights, there are plenty of people and things out there. If it exists then there is pretty much a furry version of it XD
Don't rely simply on just this topic to get an idea. ^.=.^ all we can do (the ones willing to divulge at least ahaha) is just tell you what it was like for us, but every person is different. :)
I know you can't just glob everyone in to one big ball of the same thing. The furry culture is a tree, it has to start at the roots, the core essence that everyone binds to, something that everyone can agree on. but to say everyone is the same based on the fact that they agree one little thing, is impossible, as like a tree, it doesn't grow just up but outward, so too, does the furry culture, people do something different, boom, a new branch of the furry culture is born. Okay enough with the Bad poem. This is why I want to get some answers from everyone I can, Determine the root and see how big the tree really is
Do you know any good links to go check out, i have seen some of the art.
lol See guys! I guess I don't really mean "mad" ... but whatevs. :P
When I say it is nothing but a hobby, of course I mean TO ME it is a hobby... like when others say it is a spiritual thing, they mean it is TO THEM. ... But when nobody says that, it reads like they are speaking for EVERYONE. XD I just don't like being lumped in with the spiritual side of things... because to me, I don't feel that way and it still sounds a little nutty to me. But to each his own, hey! I don't fault anyone for feeling how they do about stuff!
: bigjonesb April 06, 2012, 01:10:17 -06:00
I know you can't just glob everyone in to one big ball of the same thing. The furry culture is a tree, it has to start at the roots, the core essence that everyone binds to, something that everyone can agree on. but to say everyone is the same based on the fact that they agree one little thing, is impossible, as like a tree, it doesn't grow just up but outward, so too, does the furry culture, people do something different, boom, a new branch of the furry culture is born. Okay enough with the Bad poem. This is why I want to get some answers from everyone I can, Determine the root and see how big the tree really is
But like a tree, for every branch there is a root, a vast network of roots reaching out into many directions. As every branch reaches out into new directions so does each individual root *chuckles* okay I wont be all poetic and artsy fartsy either XD
What I mean is, for every type of furry you see out there, there is a unique origin. The real only sole thing that binds us as a group is a love of animals, both real and fantasy. There is no real formula to being a furry, its really a big label for a very big and vast group of people. Kinda like how we label anything living with leaves as Plants.
To actually answer these questions, and keep in mind this is what it is to me.
-What was the light-bulb moment when your realized you were furry?
It wasn't really a light-bulb moment to me, it was kinda gradual. It started showing first hints though when i realized that the fur fandom was a (for the most part) pretty open minded community. There was no racism, nothing that really separated anyone from each other. Also had this odd feeling of Draconity as some dragons in the fandom would say. Kinda looked into things and saw that there were more like me. It kinda went from there.
-Did you struggle with coming to grips with the fact you're a furry?
Not really, i just see it as another thing that kinda makes me who i am. It's a part of me.
-If any issues arose, how did you deal with people, such as friends and family members, that arose when you came out as furry?
The same way i deal with people finding that i'm gay. If you have a problem with it. Go away, leave me alone. I am who I am
-Do you feel it was one of your best choices to come out as furry?
I could say it was. I feel a sense of freedom. Nothing holding me back. No hiding. No secrets.
-Did coming out as a furry lift any size burden of any kind (eg.: mental, social) off of you?
Again i could say yes.
-What do you think makes someone a furry? What would your checklist look like?
To me there shouldn't be a checklist. To each his own. But i will say at the very least, you got to have an open mind.
-Do you believe there's an age limit, or is it part of you for the rest of your life?
There absolutely is no age limit. You can be a furry starting from the time you know it exists to the time you die.
-Do you believe it ever too old to enter the furry world? (excluding the obvious, Death)
Not at all. I've heard of some fur's grandparents getting into the fandom.
#- This is aimed more at furries living in smaller cities (roughly 100,000 citizens or less) but feel free to answer if you feel this still applies to you:
-Do you find it more difficult or easier to be furry in smaller general population areas?
It's a bit harder, cause there is a less likeliness of other furs in the area.
-Do you feel the smaller population keeps you less active in the furry community or more active?
Online it doesn't really change with me but to actually go out and do stuff, again when there's not many furs close to you, it's harder to go out and do things.
-Do you feel that a smaller population allows you to get to know the local furries more personally
I can say yes to that. When you find furs to hang with in your area. The ones you get to be friends with and tend to hang with them more.
Guys, please don't fight, I understand it has different meaning to different people that's why i wanted to know as much as I can. I understand that to people who share Zenia's interest, it a hobby, Possibly an escape from reality let the creative juice go to work, a break away from the mundane or other reasons. For people like Drake, It' s a part of you, not just to be let go at moment's notice. It makes you who you are, without it, you would feel lost.
Not trying to cram words in your mouths but just to let you know that I know it different for everyone
I hope no one is reading my posts in a way that makes it seem like I am trying to fight. :) I am not like that. lol XDD
I think things did spiral out of control a little there, that is one problem with text, it lacks the tone of voice to convey a proper tone of understanding.
Again, I'm no wordsmith, but I try make sure my word don't get messed up, but I do fail sometimes. Hopefully you didn't feel like any of us were trying to pick you apart, I wasn't trying to, I might have gone a little defensive, but I wasn't trying hurt you
No worries, there are subjective and objective aspects to the furry community which contributes to the said community's elusiveness. In fact, any community has always been, and is always being redefined in one, usually subtle way, or the other.
Well text will always be that way, that's why we gotta be clear on what we say :P Can't tell you how many times someone has said something to me on say MSN and I wonder what the hell they are even talking about and then they gotta say it was a form of sarcasm or something, when really I thought they were being a massive tool with bad social skills lol. Online we are just left with the face value of what someone is saying.
Though continuing on the topic here, I find the community might be trying a bit too hard to remain elusive. We are approaching that turning point that Trekkie's did long ago where one day we are gonna get tired of mincing words and dodging bullets and just gonna have to lay our cards on the table and get over what people think of us. I have been wanting to see that turn for a long time since the more we act like being furry is something to be embarrassed about and treat it as a sorta social stigma, the more general society is going to think that there really is something wrong with us. Its impossible to hold a position of "we are normal people, nothing wrong here!" when we shy away from everything with paranoia and lock most of the fandom behind blast doors only giving people a view of a very prettied up "disney-fied" version of the fandom.
I think we've got a pretty cool discussion going on here. Bigjones, you've definitely got some of the right people in here to debate about this; this is probably the most informative "what is a furry" discussion I've ever seen. Don't feel bad about causing people to rally back and forth... hell we do it here all the time. =P
-Do you believe a lack of proper knowledge of what furry really is, is keeping more people from joining up?
I don't believe there is a single thing keeping people from joining up. A friend of mine put it this way, couple weeks ago when I was at his place: "There is no application to the furry community." People generally look around on the internet, end up liking what they see, and decide they want to make themselves a part of it. The community is growing every day. Hell, even on BCF we get new members here all the time. It's astonishing, actually.
-What would you do to clean up the misconception of what furry is to the general public?
I take a more guerilla approach to it. I'm a really social guy, and I get along really well with just about anyone. I typically let people get to know me for a couple weeks/months or so before I drop the furry bomb on them. By that point, they typically know me well enough to know that I'm not a fucking weirdo. I work a steady job working with industrial machinery, I like to party and have people over to play xbox, I write music (playing guitar, bass, drums, etc), I do artwork, go dirtbiking down at the river, go camping, etc. I'm a bit eccentric, but people generally don't dislike being around me, no matter what side of the tracks they're from. Then, if it comes up in conversation, or if I feel like the person would be cool with it, I drop the whole, "Yeah, last weekend I was out getting drunk with a couple friends of mine who were furries, blah blah blah..." Some of them are like, "What's a furry?" Others go, "Wait... WHAT?!" Then I explain to them, in my words (as humbly and as factually as I can), what it means to be a furry and I do so in a way that they're not weirded-out by it. I've made several people actually somewhat "fur-curious" just because of how I execute my behaviour and represent the furry community. Because, let's face it, EVERYONE has an inner animal. Furries just like to explore that inner animal.
-What are some common misconceptions about furry that you like to correct right now?
The fact that everyone does it for sex. I fucking hate that. I was into the furry art and called myself a furry before I even knew there were people out there who did it for the sex, or hell, it was probably even a year into it before I discovered that people drew furry PORN. And you get all these furs who have a camera pushed into their faces that end up shooting the whole community in the foot. Chewfox on the Tyra Banks show, for example. Or any single person who stands in for an interview and explains what a "murrsuit" is all about. Like, I don't give a shit if someone tells me they ARE into the furry thing just for sex. Whoopdie do, good for you. It doesn't bug ME one bit. But the general public gets so up in a tizzy over it, that it pisses me off people can just go around singing "fursuit orgy! Fursuit orgy!" >.=.<
Like, yeah, there're gonna be weirdos in any group of people. The worst part is how people think that ALL furries are weirdos, just because of how much bad PR we've had in the past. I'm trying to change peoples' views on it, one explanation at a time. =)
And dude, seriously, if you're worried about yourself becoming a furry: don't be. Even as a community, we have our own little subgroups of people. It's like... most people think about gamers, and they think an unfit teenager with supreme acne doing nothing but playing games all day. The truth is, like the gaming community, we have our hardcore folk who play extreme sports and party their asses off; we have our anime nerds, computer nerds, who sit in their houses and do nothing but browse 4chan all day; we have our heavy stoners and shroom-heads, who... sit in their houses and do nothing but browse 4chan all day (XD); and we have our rednecks, who... well... yeah... *ahem*
Choosing to be a furry doesn't define you as being one or the other, it's just another thing to add on your life's resume. You can clearly see that we've got some cool people here trying to give you the down-to-earth explanation on what it means to be a furry. We're not trying to keep you out; we're trying to give you every reason to feel welcomed.
The eluding of questions is probably the big hurdle that's keeping furry from really gaining any real support, I understand that you don't want to misquoted or misinterpreted, but if you are, call the media responsible for the "error", get other furs in on it, if they hear nothing from anyone, they're going to assume they have the information correct and just move on.
I know some people are being welcoming, and appreciate that. It's just that with some of the posts you kinda feel some people are trying to corner you and, you all know how well animals act when cornered, I tried not to get argumentative, but I'm sure I lashed out somewhat, Honestly I was having serious doubt about being furry after a couple of those posts, in fact I was going to watch some tv shows I had recorded and the PVR was set to the TV station SPACE, which was running the Furry episode of fanboy confessional, and I felt like I had to find a TV show quick because if watched any more I would just feel the pain of rejection. But today feels different, And I feel like I'm back on path, thanks to people being warm and welcoming, so thank you
Well, like Kitten said on the first page, it sounded like a paper/blog interview at first, and furs like Kitten, myself and many others have the hackles prick-up on the back of our necks at the very mention, specifically because we know how much the media likes to twist and distort our words to purposefully mis-inform the public about who we are. At that point, it becomes almost a shoving-match to be the first in line to try and make sure the guy gets the RIGHT info. It's not that we're trying to be defensive and keep outsiders out; it's just the fact that we've had so much bad PR in the past and people poking their noses into the community typically sets-off a bunch of flashing red lights and a klaxon.
Myself and a few others here have absolutely no issue in answering questions because we know how to articulate well and we keep the information relevant and clean.
You don't need to apologize for how you worded your questions, bud. We're just here to help. I'm hoping you're at least learning a few things from all this, other than furs are like sea anemones: we're all colourful and flowery until someone pokes at us, and we curl up inside ourselves until whatever it is goes away. XD
: Naetholix April 06, 2012, 03:06:19 -06:00Myself and a few others here have absolutely no issue in answering questions because we know how to articulate well and we keep the information relevant and clean.
Agreed. I love answering questions. :P Sorry if anything I said made you want to turn away from the fandom. I honestly don't mean to come across as anything other than friendly and pleasant.
I probably could have been a little less formal with the questions, i do realize the questions seem like something that would be asked by media personnel. I didn't know just how badly the press has hurt the community. As I had previously only talked about furry with my fur-iend from the big easy state(La), I didn't know much more than what he had told me.
My questions on here were the first time going beyond him to ask question and get some answers. so I had little to no idea how a larger group would react to roughly the same questions, (i can't remember exactly how or what I asked him). Add to the fact the questions sounding all "big media"-like, Add again the community apprehension towards big media due to fact skewing, It was recipe for disaster.
I appreciate that fact that you guys are answering my questions, Thank you for helping me out. This was a big step for me, and I guess I shouldn't be surprised I stumbled a little. I hope that I haven't made too many enemies, I understand I can't be friends with everyone, but I wish to be friends with most of you.
I do remember seeing on YouTube a late night TV show sent a person to infiltrate a furry convention, and as you guys said, it wasn't a good thing, the guy aimed his focus on the wrong things. that was one time can vouch media was mistreating the people
: zenia April 06, 2012, 03:44:22 -06:00
...Sorry if anything I said made you want to turn away from the fandom. I honestly don't mean to come across as anything other than friendly and pleasant.
I could've read the responses wrong, but if you read some of the responses in different tone, you can see why I might have had deep second thoughts. Honestly I was beginning to think I was going to be banished from here, and was going to have some form of brain damage just to forget I might've been part of the culture. Sorry for getting dark there, but it was true. I actually felt very depressed
I didn't want to sound like a idiot and quickly phrase a question and have barely anybody understand what I was trying to ask, so I tried to word it professionally to the best of my ability, not thinking about how big media it sounded and the fact I didn't know that the community was poorly treated by all sources of media. I knew that there was the CSI episode that failed badly to treat furries with any respect, but I didn't know about the other media problems.
I assuming you guys are talking about the news as well, I don't really read the newspaper unless I'm in a restaurant, or don't really watch much TV news, I can't say I've seen any of the material. When I do read the paper I browse headlines, and might read if it gets my interest, but usually wind up reading the comics.
I was basically wondering about the experiences from beginning to now. One thing I really wanted to know is how did you deal with loved ones who didn't know about the culture or the fact you were a part of it.
: bigjonesb April 07, 2012, 12:40:24 -06:00
I was basically wondering about the experiences from beginning to now. One thing I really wanted to know is how did you deal with loved ones who didn't know about the culture or the fact you were a part of it.
The best lines I ever heard in regards to this is "Its just another personal thing, you honestly don't have to go around telling everyone that you are a furry." In the same way that we don't run around telling the world our other interests like for example someone going "Hey guys... just wanted to let you all know... well I am a big time Dragonball Z fan.. have been for 4 years now..." many people despite being outgoing simply chose not to air it out to the world, myself being one of those individuals. I only bother to tell people who I know are easy going and very open. Hell almost ALL of my family has no clue and I intend to keep it that way because I don't want to have the same long-winded discussion with them over and over and over. There is no shame in not telling people every little thing about yourself. Out of the most crazy secrets one could keep, being furry is pretty low on that list.
I know you don't have to tell everyone you know about being furry, but how can you hide something from someone you send a fair amount of time with, won't those close to you eventually find out and, at the very least, be curious. Aren't you even a little worried that long winded discussion is going to come up with someone.
: bigjonesb April 07, 2012, 02:02:34 -06:00
I know you don't have to tell everyone you know about being furry, but how can you hide something from someone you send a fair amount of time with, won't those close to you eventually find out and, at the very least, be curious. Aren't you even a little worried that long winded discussion is going to come up with someone.
Worried... hmmm a little, yes, but I do tend to watch my footing and wording when it comes to anything that can give away details like that. I have lasted over a decade so far (aside parents but those ones are harder to dodge lol) so I gotta be doing something right XD
Really I just don't want to have that discussion because I am not the greatest at prettying things up, My parents I intentionally kept things very vague. For me to be very blunt honest about the fandom and how I am a part of it would be a conversation that would just invoke too many questions like ones about why the heck I identify as a dragon, my spirituality, why I draw the things that I do. really answering one question just open the doors for 3 more.
Well, As for now, I going to wrap this up, But I'm going to leave this open just in case someone has anything to add or another question pops into mind. So thank you everyone for your input. I'm glad I got some questions answered, As I was wondering how you all got to where you are today in the culture, and the various degrees of how deeply furry each person is, as some regard it more as a hobby, and others regard it more as something that's a part of them (I think I'd fit more in this group).
: Silvermink April 05, 2012, 11:13:48 -06:00
: bigjonesb April 05, 2012, 10:48:43 -06:00
The media hasn't exactly been good to any group, black people in the 50's, gay in the 70's-80's, now the cannon is aimed on you guys in an attempt to keep you down.
Equating the "struggle" of furries to the struggles of blacks and gays is frankly offensive to me as a queer person. It is NOTHING by comparison. Not even close.
unfortunately, I do feel that my personal life as a furry is equatable to the struggles of groups such as gays in past decades. Though I, also, would like to say there is no familiarity between these groups, after living with a gay furry from Texas, who described to me many of the way he witnessed gays treated, I can only say that I have faced very similar treatment for being a furry; even by furries themselves. Denying that I am who I am. . . . . . I really don't think about my past now, because I have been so traumatized by the events of the past several years of my life; I even try to erase my own memory, to tolerate it. I can't really make much of a statement about what's happened to me. So, though I would like to say the ways furries are treated are not similar to how queers have been treated in the past, I must state the accuracy of it, from my own personal experiences. It's not exactly the same: just as queers were not treated exactly the same as blacks. However, it is still there.
Anyways, I'll answer these questions, too.
-What was the moment you discovered you were a furry, what got you on the path, what made you say "I got to be a part of this"?
I consider myself to have been a furry, before I was aware of furry. I had fantasies about being an anthropomorphic wolf, and even looked at furry art and read furry stories without being aware of the fandom. When I did discouver furry was actually "a thing," it was immediately apparent to me that I was a furry, and I thought "oh, I'm a wolf." :) And I've been here ever since..
-Was there any reason whatsoever that held you back from entering the furry community sooner?
only that I didn't realize there was a community :P
-Did anyone have trouble dealing with you being furry?
Mostly, I never let anyone know about it, IRL, so it genrally wasn't possible for any issue to arise, for much of the time. I'm normally pretty private, and I never had an encounter with a furry hater on the internet.
-Does being furry make you feel better about yourself, add a little more spring to your step?
It is who I am; I don't feel better or worse about myself because of it. . . .well, better I guess, because I feel more comfortable when I think of myself as my fursona.
-What do you think makes someone a furry? What would your checklist look like?
Believing you are actually an anthropomorphic animal, and not "fully human" in the traditional sense.
-Do you believe there's an age limit, or is it part of you for the rest of your life?
absolutely furry does not appear to have any limitations based on age. I expect I will be a furry for the entirety of my life. And perhaps have been a furry since I was born.
-Do you believe it ever too old to enter the furry world? (excluding the obvious, Death)
as above.
#- This is aimed more at furries living in smaller cities (roughly 100,000 citizens or less) but feel free to answer if you feel this still applies to you:
-Do you find it more difficult or easier to be furry in smaller general population areas?
both. . .there's less meetups, and that encourages more interation online. I have to consider my online interations to be better than my real world interactions.
-Do you feel the smaller population keeps you less active in the furry community or more active?
online, more active; offline, less active. Though, I have to admit to being fairly active online while living in a large city, too ^^;
-Do you feel that a smaller population allows you to get to know the local furries more personally?
mmmm. . . . .yes, but there's of fewer of them. My closest friends remain furs that I have never met IRL, or have only met a very few times.
Crassadon, You understood what I was trying get at by using that example, I wasn't trying to demoralize the gay or black community in any way, I was just saying that some people struggle with being ok with the fact they're furry, as much as some would struggle to feel right with the fact they're gay. Each person has their own issues, and sometimes, something that seems like just a small step to one person, can feel like a massive cliff to others.
I have always felt this feeling that I was furry, like as I stated on my other topic, before I even knew it had a name, but I lied to myself, thinking I wouldn't be accepted in, because of one reason or another, latest one was my age. Like Crassadon, I've struggled. I can clearly see now, I screwed myself by hiding a part of who I am. I personally hold furry a little higher than some, as I can't label it as a hobby, and I worded the questions on that fact, although lacking any displayable fursona of any kind right now, I have a big affinity for the Siberian husky/Wolf look, and find myself being canine-like in my actions sometimes
: bigjonesb April 08, 2012, 05:57:44 -06:00
Crassadon, You understood what I was trying get at by using that example, I wasn't trying to demoralize the gay or black community in any way, I was just saying that some people struggle with being ok with the fact they're furry, as much as some would struggle to feel right with the fact they're gay. Each person has their own issues, and sometimes, something that seems like just a small step to one person, can feel like a massive cliff to others.
I've never heard of a furry being beaten to death for being furry, so I still find it a pretty tenuous line to draw. Internet trolls are pretty small potatoes compared to that.
If you mean "furries are discriminated against", sure, that's true in some contexts, but plenty of groups get that, unfortunately. There are stigmas and there are stigmas.
: Silvermink April 08, 2012, 06:14:53 -06:00
I've never heard of a furry being beaten to death for being furry, so I still find it a pretty tenuous line to draw. Internet trolls are pretty small potatoes compared to that.
If you mean "furries are discriminated against", sure, that's true in some contexts, but plenty of groups get that, unfortunately. There are stigmas and there are stigmas.
Granted I too haven't heard any such stories about furries being beat to death, Doesn't mean it couldn't of hasn't happened, either. What if one or a few of these unsolved murders are a case of that. You can't totally rule out the fact it might happen. As some people said here, They've told almost no one about being furry. How can you rule out that some nutjob overheard someone say something about being furry, and nut job goes and kills them later. If the cops don't catch the nutjob, they can't find out what the motive was.
Again, you're probably right, but I do try my best to look at both sides of any scenario, not insinuating that everyone should all run into hiding about being furry either, as it would be pretty damn rare chance it could happen, even more rare it would even take place here in BC.
I was talking more about the discrimination/stigma aspect, as some people like me, have pretty low self-confidence, due to one reason or another, and the discrimination/stigma added in, could be a hurdle. From what i can tell, (again, my opinion only,) you have a healthy level of self confidence. Anyone with good self confidence isn't going to see obstacles as big as those with low self confidence would see them.
: bigjonesb April 08, 2012, 07:33:02 -06:00
Granted I too haven't heard any such stories about furries being beat to death, Doesn't mean it couldn't of hasn't happened, either. What if one or a few of these unsolved murders are a case of that. You can't totally rule out the fact it might happen. As some people said here, They've told almost no one about being furry. How can you rule out that some nutjob overheard someone say something about being furry, and nut job goes and kills them later. If the cops don't catch the nutjob, they can't find out what the motive was.
I can't totally rule out the possibility that death rays from Mars were responsible, either, but I don't think it's likely. :P
LOL with all the crazy sh*t going on nowadays, you never know