What is Furry?
The term “Furry” is used to describe the Furry Fandom or an individual “Furry” fan, also referred to as “Furries”.
The Furry Fandom grew out of the science fiction and fantasy communities as a unique group focused on anthropomorphic animals and creatures. Anthropomorphic animals are animals with human characteristics such as the familiar cartoon characters Bugs Bunny and Mickey Mouse or popular mascots like the Philadelphia Eagle or San Diego Chicken.
The Furry Fandom is a broad community of people that come from all ranges of socioeconomic and political backgrounds. Different people count themselves as “Furries” for equally broad reasons. Some are fans or artists of visual, written or theatrical arts such as animated cartoons and fantasy stories. Some are mascot and character fans or performers such as professional theme park and corporate mascots or volunteer character performers. Some are Therians or people with strong personal or spiritual connections to animals similar to some Native American cultures.
Because the Furry Fandom encompasses such a wide range of people and interests, to term someone as a “Furry” is similar to calling someone a “Sports Fan”. The term “Sports Fan” itself does not identify the sport in which a person is interested, at what level or even which teams or regions in which they take an interest. Similarly a Furry could be a costumed performer with no interest in cartoons or an artist or animator with no interest in or familiarity with costuming.
You are encouraged not to judge this very broad group of proud and individually unique people, but rather to learn what is important to each. Although some can be shy, and many will not speak while in costume, most Furries are generally very friendly and willing to share their individual interest in the community with those who show genuine curiosity.
FAQs
“Why do TV shows define ‘Furries’ as people who have sex in animal costumes?”
Television producers are business people who have a responsibility to their company and stockholders to make money, typically through advertising revenue based on viewership. Unusual and salacious subjects typically attract larger audiences and thus earn them more revenue. Put simply; Sex Sells. A show about Furries having sex in animal costumes, or perhaps a more mainstream science fiction fandom, such as Trekkies having sex in Star Trek uniform, will sell more advertising regardless of whether these shows are fair or accurate portrayals of these groups as a whole.
“Are ‘Furries’ people who have sex in animal costumes?”
No. It is not uncommon for adults to dress up in uniforms, costumes or other outfits and role play as part of a healthy sexual relationship. Most Furries do not own costumes and many take no interest in costuming. Those who are interested in costumes often own very expensive custom created “Fursuits”. They are often very proud of the quality and construction of these “Fursuits” and are unlikely to engage in activities that would harm the quality of the costume or the image of their character. Chances are there are many more people being intimate in an animal costume each day who are not Furry than there are Furries willing to take a similar risk with their characters.
“Are ‘Furries’ people who have sex with animals?”
No. Sex with animals or Bestiality is illegal in most countries and most states in the US. Because many Furries have a personal connection with animals, most are very strongly opposed to Bestiality or any activity that harms animals.
Just posted this in the other thread...but now I want to do it here:
Originally published July 23, 2012 at 11:03 AM | Page modified July 24, 2012 at 10:55 AM
Man in goat suit seen living among goats in Utah mountains
A man spotted dressed in a goat suit among a herd of wild goats in the mountains of northern Utah has wildlife officials worried he could be in danger as hunting season approaches
Associated Press
CODY CREIGHTON / AP
In this Sunday, July 15, 2012, photo, a person is seen in a goat suit in the Wasatch Mountains on Ben Lomond peak outside of Ogden, Utah. Wildlife officials are worried he could be in danger as goat hunting season approaches. Phil Douglass of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources said Friday the person is doing nothing illegal, but he worries the so-called "goat man" is unaware of the dangers.
Related
UPDATE: A man spotted in a goat suit in the mountains of northern Utah has been identified as a hunter preparing for a Canadian archery season. Read more
SALT LAKE CITY — A man spotted dressed in a goat suit among a herd of wild goats in the mountains of northern Utah has wildlife officials worried he could be in danger as hunting season approaches.
Phil Douglass of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources said Friday the person is doing nothing illegal, but he worries the so-called "goat man" is unaware of the dangers.
"My very first concern is the person doesn't understand the risks," Douglass said. "Who's to say what could happen." Douglass said a man hiking Sunday along Ben Lomond peak in the mountains above Ogden, about 40 miles north of Salt Lake City, spotted the person dressed like a goat among a herd of realgoats. The person provided some blurry photographs to Douglass, who said they did not appear to have been altered.
Wildlife officials now just want to talk to the man so that he is aware of the dangers. There's no telling what his intentions are, Douglass said, but it is believed he could just be an extreme wildlife enthusiast.
"People do some pretty out there things in the name of enjoying wildlife. But I've never had a report like this," Douglass said. "There's a saying we have among biologists -- You don't go far enough, you don't get the data. You go too far, you don't go home. The same is true with some wildlife enthusiasts."
Douglass said 60 permits will be issued for goat hunting season in that area, which begins in September. He worries the goat man might be accidentally shot or could be attacked by a real goat.
"They may get agitated. They're territorial. They are, after all, wild animals," he said. "This person puts on a goat suit, he changes the game. But as long as he accepts responsibility, it's not illegal."
Douglass said wildlife officials received an anonymous call Thursday from an "agitated man" after the sighting was reported in local media. The caller simply said, "Leave goat man alone. He's done nothing wrong.'"
"I want people to enjoy Utah's wildlife. We live in a really neat place. We have wildlife all around us," Douglass said. "We just want people to be safe."
Coty Creighton, 33, spotted the goat man Sunday during his hike. He said he came across the herd, but noticed something odd about one goat that was trailing behind the rest.
"I thought maybe it was injured," Creighton said Friday. "It just looked odd."
He said he pulled out binoculars to get a closer look at the herd about 200 yards away and was shocked. The man appeared to be acting like a goat while wearing the crudely made costume, which had fake horns and a cloth mask with cut-out eye holes, Creighton said.
"I thought, 'What is this guy doing?' " Creighton said. "He was actually on his hands and knees. He was climbing over rocks and bushes and pretty rough terrain on a steep hillside."
Creighton said the man occasionally pulled up his mask, apparently trying to navigate the rocky terrain. The man then appeared to spot Creighton.
"He just stopped in his tracks and froze," he said.
Creighton moved down the mountain and hid behind a tree, then began snapping photographs.
The goat man then put his mask back on, Creighton said, got back down on his hands and knees and scurried to catch up with the herd.
"We were the only ones around for miles," Creighton said. "It was real creepy."
Is this something like transgender (not that there's anything wrong with that!!!!!!!!) but perhaps better referred to as trans-animal?
meh- I have no probelm with what other people do in their private lives as long as it's legal and does not cause emotional/physical harm to self/others.
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- Pema_Jampa
on Feb. 25, 2013 at 6:00 PM