Dalton Brumbaugh
What Is a Furry?
“Consisting of or resembling fur (wikifur.org, “Furry”).” These objects are the well-known focus of a caste of the geek sub-culture known as the furry fandom. The furry fandom’s members will typically call themselves “furries”. There are variations on this idea; the two primary variations are “scalies” and “avians” interested in scaled and feathered creatures respectively. “[The] furry fandom is a fandom for fictional anthropomorphic animal characters with human personalities and characteristics (Wikipedia.org, “Furry Fandom”).”“Someone who says they are furry is generally expressing an interest in [anthros] and/or creatures. They may express that interest in a variety of ways… How deep or meaningful [their interest] is varies greatly from person to person (wikifur.com, “Furry”).”This is amongst the best of definitions for the furry fandom, but a different way of putting it may be that “furries” are people with an expressed interest in creatures that are furry, scaly, feathered, or whatever combination of the three they prefer. Furries are actively spreading their message, and with over 50,000 official members today, up from just 10,000 five years ago, it’s easy to say that the fandom is growing.
The problem is that most art directed toward those of the fandom depicts nudity, bestial situations, and/or vulgarity that is not commonly accepted in society as a respected form of art. While, occasionally, there is reason in some of the art, (animals will be animals, humans will be humans, etc.), there is far more pornography for the sake of pornography that is publicized at a far greater rate than the art of those both within and directed toward the fandom that is considered art for art’s sake. This has caused the connotation of “furry” meaning “sex-crazed person”, however, this is simply not the case, sexuality is present, evidently enough for a few, but it doesn’t overrun those who consider themselves “furry”. “Fans are found in all corners of the world… We are bound together across the most daunting barriers by our mutual admiration for these creatures of myth and legend (anthrocon.org).” Your general, honest furry is likely to have three primary aspects about them, affection for animals in general and admiration of one animal of their choice specifically, a scientific degree or college-education in a science-based field, “A large number of Furry fans are employed in the scientific or technical fields (anthrocon.org).” and a strength in one of the arts (literary, painting, drawing, etc.). Apart from these aspects, the general furry is no different from the average citizen.
As a furry, I could explain to you the classifications in the fandom. Furries put themselves in different classifications, the three primary classes involved are ‘gamers’, ‘fursuiters’, and ‘furry lifestylers’. The ‘gamers’ appear to be like your average person that enjoys games; however, they focus on games involving furry art and anthros. Fursuiters are amongst the most unique individuals you will meet of the fandom, and the best ambassadors of it; ‘”Fur suiters,’ like making and wearing animal costumes (xydexx.com).” They wear something along the lines of a mascot costume, typically these costumes will, however, have modifications to them, which enable the wearer to either look ‘more realistic’, ‘cooler’, or even let them wear the suit all day. Furry lifestylers are unique in their own way; this class has a variety of sub-classes and groupings, but the basic gist amongst all of them is that their affinity to animals is expresses through more of a spiritual, emotional, or psychological connection, or a combination of those three factors, rather than that of your typical furry who simply feels an affinity toward their animal. They express their affinity through actions and ideals similar to that of the animal they most connect with. The degree to which their expressions vary is what most sets the lifestylers apart. “Lifestylers tend to identify more strongly than typical furries with their furry avatars, and often act out animalistic behaviors of them (wikifur.com, “Furry Lifestyler”).”
The furry fandom is not exactly new in concept; in fact, it’s almost as old as civilization. Art presenting anthros, mythological creatures (from werewolves to gryphons), and using the animal kingdom as something precious, are present in Ancient Greek, Roman, even Mesopotamian and Mayan societies. This art featuring “humanized animals” is so ingrained into our society that we find it anywhere and everywhere. Sonic the Hedgehog, Starfox, even Bugs Bunny, are just a few of the beings the fandom adores today. From videogames today, to ancient mythologies, there is art present for those who seek it depicting the primary focus of furries, a creature (myth or not) that has varying human characteristics or tendencies. Furries simply actively do what those mythologies did; pursue a better understanding of humankind, “[Our] admiration for these creatures of myth and legend who, by simple reflection, grant us a better window into understanding our own natures (anthrocon.org).”
In the end, being a furry is appreciating the animal kingdom as an entity to be both respected and admired actively, rather than passively. As time continues on, the furry fandom will grow, continuing to flesh itself out and develop a meaning in its own right within society. Those claiming perversion make assumptions based upon bad press given freely to those that simply seek articles and members of the fandom out of perversion, in place of being an upstanding member of society and the fandom; this is amongst one of the many conditions to be tolerated within society as a whole, and not simply by one group or the other. Furries exist, much like any other group, for the sole purpose of self-expression and life in their own right; as humans, Americans especially, we are given the right to pursue happiness in our own way, be it by writing, drawing, playing music, building, or by dressing up in a costume. Furries merely seek their happiness, and celebrate their uniqueness, through the admiration of animals and mythological creatures.
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