Yeah, like that CSI episode that's playing in your head right now.
We had a Styrofoam gravestone for Rocky Raccoon at the 2nd or 3rd Furry Weekend Atlanta (FWA) con.
A furry is a person who identifies with animals more than they do with other people. (Obligatory disclaimer: Furries do not want to have inappropriate relations with animals.)Furries have been socially persecuted since their realization in 1980 (Wikipedia), so we don't get an overabundance of positive exposure. Ergo, this is a public service announcement!
I'm a Fur! And I'm d@mn proud of it!
Now where to begin! You see, the internet is drowning in misinformation about furries, hence the disclaimer.
To address only the CSI episode for a moment, I have not ever, and highly doubt that I will ever be involved in, bear witness to, or even hear about, a 'yiff' pile. They simply do not happen outside the private lives of individuals and their friends, and certainly not at a convention.
However, a large number of furries do dress in animal costumes and they are admired for it within the fandom. (Not to mention, a good, budget-wise suit can eat $600 easy) I am working on my fursuit right now!
And
I have been told by other furries that two furries in a room will result in 'drama'. (Someone brought a "Drama-Free Zone" sign to FWA this year)
Back to furries in general:
Most furries are also members of the gamer fandom. (I also play Dungeons and Dragons) Internet and gamer social norms are heavily present at the conventions.
A significant portion of furries (at least at FWA) are homosexual. Unfortunately, this increases our stigma.
At FWA, there is a heightened concern for wildlife and the environment as well as a democratic sympathy.
We need to realize that we are a little bit to blame for the rampant misinformation. We are a withheld community and we exclude non-furries and non-fans just as they might exclude us. It's a common defense mechanism in unpopular people, not just furries. I try to explain the furry fandom as much as possible, but I haven't seen that same openness towards others at the conventions. It's not worth the abuse it would attract.
On the other hand, the conventions are fun, sleepless, and friendly. When I put on my name tag, I feel like I’m coming home to a safe, loving, protective, and supportive family. I am walking into a group of instant friends and people with whom I can be only myself with no pretense of normalcy. I invite you entreat people not to ridicule furries so that we can share our thoughts in a receptive forum.
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Must be an elaborate costume if it can cost up to $600!
Interesting look at the world of "furries". I don't think I've heard the term before, but now I feel well-informed!
I guess furries might explain why the Japanese have such an obsession with half-human/half-animal hybrids?
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This is a signature, an automated thingy that pops up when I comment, not a demand to see my blog!
Mind Control is Easier Than You Think
Good faux fur is expensive and enough to cover a person is even more expensive. The cost of it adds up very quickly.
That said, the Japanese don't really have any more of an obsession with human/animal hybrids than the rest of the world, they just don't use them in horror movies as much and don't make them out to be evil.
Actually, a lot of the Japanese hybrids stem from their perception of demons and other aspects of mythology, many of which take on the form of animals. The Kitsune, or fox or fox-demon, is one of the more common ones. Some animals, such as cats (neko) are also said to have magical abilities.
This isn't that much different from the werewolf/bear/tiger, and other therian stories of the Western World, if you think about it.
I am treated as evil by people who claim that they are being oppressed because they are not allowed to force me to practice what they do. ~D. Dale Gulledge
Interesting stuff, thanks for the reply!
I see the catgirl thing a lot in Japanese drawings and such. I could probably do some research to understand the culture a little more.
~ *~
This is a signature, an automated thingy that pops up when I comment, not a demand to see my blog!
Mind Control is Easier Than You Think
My cat has the magical ability to break EVERYTHING.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
Thanks! It seems most of what one hears about furries is the fetish aspect of the fandom, which it seems is just a fringe element of the group? Thanks for clearing some things up. It was interesting. I'd like to read more.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
I'd like to take a moment to point out to the readers that there is a second group that is similar to the Furry Fandom, but a separate, unassociated group, known as Otherkin.
Otherkin are those who identify as something more than human on some level (usually a spiritual/astral level). Weres, vampires (both sanguine and psychic), elves, and fae-folk (as well as a myriad of others), generally fall into this category. The difference between Otherkin and Furries is that Otherkin generally feel they also take on certain aspects of their Other side, either behaviorally or physically (the need to feed off others' energy, phantom limbs, wolf-like pack behavior, for example).
I've put this out there because both communities generally consider themselves very much different from each other and are often offended by being called the other. Furries tend to view Otherkin as taking the role-playing too far, and Otherkin tend to view Furries as just role-playing. There are exceptions and people that are members of both communities, but in general, they're quite different.
I am treated as evil by people who claim that they are being oppressed because they are not allowed to force me to practice what they do. ~D. Dale Gulledge
There's just so much more to the world than I knew! Wow. This is incredibly mind-expanding.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
Heh, looks like I have another excuse to write about Otherkin. :)
I am treated as evil by people who claim that they are being oppressed because they are not allowed to force me to practice what they do. ~D. Dale Gulledge
If you don't want to say I would understand, expecially since there is a prize associated with your costume, but what kind of animal is your costume?
< : D I would LOVE to talk about my costume.
The character is my "fursona", ZelKwin; a furry alias sort of, hence my username.
It's based on red wolves with markings inspired by red-eyed tree frogs and jumping spiders. At the moment, I haven't been able to do much but dream, but school's almost out so I have a chunk of free art time coming soon. : D
This is concept art of ZelKwin: http://kylie-girl.deviantart.com/art/Zelkwin-Fursona-75184664
I also have plans for a peacock chainmail shirt(? dress? It's toga shaped.) to go with the fursona. I can't wait for FWA next Feb.!
Thanks for your interest, now that I've abused your captivity. Compensation? -offers cookies-
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haHA!