FA+
Shop
Furry Meme
16 years ago
Since I have Opinions, I thought I would do this one. =) Don't know where it originally came from, I copied it from 
lintu
Are you a furry?
By my own definition, I'd have to say yes. By 'lifestyle,' probably not.
If you have a Spouse/SO - Is he/she a furry too?
I'm single.
How long have you been in the community?
I've been on FA since 2007, if that counts as 'in the community.' I've been friends with furry artists for close to 20 years though. I have only been to two conventions in that time.
How did you find furry?
Steve Gallacci's Albedo and Eclipse Comics' Fusion by Gallacci, Lela Dowling and Ken Macklin were the first stories I read that portrayed anthropomorphics as sexual creatures in a mature fashion.
What's your reason for furry (what interested you to get into the community)?
I have always liked cartoon animals, I like sexy anthropomorphic girls, and let's face it, I've been single a long time.
What's Furry to you?
'Furry' is such a loaded term. As an adjective I think its essence is simply the fetishization of anthropomorphic animals. But the noun seems to have come to mean someone who likes anthropomorphics and also is an extreme sexual deviant (whether that is true or not). It's no wonder that many people are uncomfortable with the label.
If someone found out you're a furry and asked you about it how would you respond?
I'd ask them what they mean by 'a furry;' then I'd explain as above. This has happened.
What are your favorite aspects of our community?
I'm not really involved in 'the community.' I'm kind of uncomfortable with fandom as a lifestyle in itself. Of the friends I've made, though, I like that they are friendly and confident, they know what they like in life and they are not embarassed by it. There also are so many great, talented artists.
Do you use any furry terms? (i.e. yiff, paws, murr?)
Not really.
What do you wish furry was NOT associated with?
Sexual fetishes that have nothing to do with a furry fetish. There seems to be a prevailing opinion among people who are critical of furries that if you like anthropomorphic animals, you are automatically also into vore, scheiesse, pedophilia, bestiality, gigantism, herms, etc. etc.
How strongly do you feel about someone bashing the community as a whole?
Not very strongly. It is my opinion that the vast majority of the world doesn't give a damn about furry fandom or any kind of fandom. Of people that are critical of it, I think that most are outraged as an excuse to fuel a guilty fascination (like the anti-porn evangelicals who have huge porn collections as 'research'), and the rest are worked up into hysterics by them.
How strongly do you feel about anyone bashing you yourself for your interest based on the media's aspect of what furry is?
It hasn't really happened to me, but I will admit that I don't broadcast my interests because I don't want to have to deal with that sort of thing. It's no-one's business anyway.
We all know furries have a lot of sexual aspects in this fandom, What's your opinion on it?
In my opinion furry is inherently sexual, since fetishization is the basis of the fandom. While I do think some fetishes (eg. vore, transformation, etc.) pair naturally with furry fetish, I object to the automatic lumping together of various unrelated fetishes with furry.
Personal
What is/are your fursona(s)?
I don't really have one. Rohan, a faerie dragon, has been my mascot for years and is probably the closest to my own personality, but although I sometimes use him to represent me, I don't really 'play' him.
Do you have any fetishes that pertain to the fandom?
I suppose transformation would qualify.
If you could magically morph into your fursona would you?
Only if I could turn back again at will.
Do you believe you have a spirit animal? If Yes, Is that spirit animal your fursona(if not what is it?)
If I do, it's probably deer, or raven. If I ever do develop a fursona it will be a deer.
What other fanbases/groups are you a part of?
I like anime, comics, sci-fi, fantasy, etc. but I'm not directly involved with fandom for any of them.
Anthro/Feral, Therian or Kemonomimi (Not a furry, just a human with animal ears and a tail)?
Sure. I love greek mythology and anime as well as cartoon animals.
Are you a fursuiter? If yes, How many do you own? If No, do you ever plan on being a suiter?
I am not. I do not plan on it. I do admire a good costume though.
How many of your friends are furry?
Maybe a half-dozen? Of the people I actually see in person.
How many pets do you own, if any?
None, my mouse died last year, I love cats but haven't owned one in years.
Aside from furry what other interests do you have?
Gaming, music, hiking, horseback riding, history, etc. etc.
Are you confident enough in yourself to say that you're a fur, no matter what the media says?
Probably not. I don't feel any solidarity with the fandom.
Meetups
Do you attend any cons? If no, would you attend any cons? If yes, which cons have you been to?
I've been to ConFurence twice, once almost 20 years ago because I was broke and needed to sell some art, and once a couple of years ago, to see a friend and promote my comic back when I thought I could produce it reliably.
Do you go to local meetups (bowling, public outings...etc)?
Nope
Have you ever attended a furry party? If no, would you attend one?
I have not. Don't really have any intention to but I might if circumstances were right.
Online
Have you ever met up with a fur you talked to online?
Yep.
What furry websites do you attend?
Used to browse Yerf, nowadays it's just here and Club Stripes.
What non furry websites do you frequent?
Oh geez... the Internet?
Has the fandom done anything for you that you're thankful for? Has it taught you anything or brought you anything you treasure greatly?
lintuAre you a furry?
By my own definition, I'd have to say yes. By 'lifestyle,' probably not.
If you have a Spouse/SO - Is he/she a furry too?
I'm single.
How long have you been in the community?
I've been on FA since 2007, if that counts as 'in the community.' I've been friends with furry artists for close to 20 years though. I have only been to two conventions in that time.
How did you find furry?
Steve Gallacci's Albedo and Eclipse Comics' Fusion by Gallacci, Lela Dowling and Ken Macklin were the first stories I read that portrayed anthropomorphics as sexual creatures in a mature fashion.
What's your reason for furry (what interested you to get into the community)?
I have always liked cartoon animals, I like sexy anthropomorphic girls, and let's face it, I've been single a long time.
What's Furry to you?
'Furry' is such a loaded term. As an adjective I think its essence is simply the fetishization of anthropomorphic animals. But the noun seems to have come to mean someone who likes anthropomorphics and also is an extreme sexual deviant (whether that is true or not). It's no wonder that many people are uncomfortable with the label.
If someone found out you're a furry and asked you about it how would you respond?
I'd ask them what they mean by 'a furry;' then I'd explain as above. This has happened.
What are your favorite aspects of our community?
I'm not really involved in 'the community.' I'm kind of uncomfortable with fandom as a lifestyle in itself. Of the friends I've made, though, I like that they are friendly and confident, they know what they like in life and they are not embarassed by it. There also are so many great, talented artists.
Do you use any furry terms? (i.e. yiff, paws, murr?)
Not really.
What do you wish furry was NOT associated with?
Sexual fetishes that have nothing to do with a furry fetish. There seems to be a prevailing opinion among people who are critical of furries that if you like anthropomorphic animals, you are automatically also into vore, scheiesse, pedophilia, bestiality, gigantism, herms, etc. etc.
How strongly do you feel about someone bashing the community as a whole?
Not very strongly. It is my opinion that the vast majority of the world doesn't give a damn about furry fandom or any kind of fandom. Of people that are critical of it, I think that most are outraged as an excuse to fuel a guilty fascination (like the anti-porn evangelicals who have huge porn collections as 'research'), and the rest are worked up into hysterics by them.
How strongly do you feel about anyone bashing you yourself for your interest based on the media's aspect of what furry is?
It hasn't really happened to me, but I will admit that I don't broadcast my interests because I don't want to have to deal with that sort of thing. It's no-one's business anyway.
We all know furries have a lot of sexual aspects in this fandom, What's your opinion on it?
In my opinion furry is inherently sexual, since fetishization is the basis of the fandom. While I do think some fetishes (eg. vore, transformation, etc.) pair naturally with furry fetish, I object to the automatic lumping together of various unrelated fetishes with furry.
Personal
What is/are your fursona(s)?
I don't really have one. Rohan, a faerie dragon, has been my mascot for years and is probably the closest to my own personality, but although I sometimes use him to represent me, I don't really 'play' him.
Do you have any fetishes that pertain to the fandom?
I suppose transformation would qualify.
If you could magically morph into your fursona would you?
Only if I could turn back again at will.
Do you believe you have a spirit animal? If Yes, Is that spirit animal your fursona(if not what is it?)
If I do, it's probably deer, or raven. If I ever do develop a fursona it will be a deer.
What other fanbases/groups are you a part of?
I like anime, comics, sci-fi, fantasy, etc. but I'm not directly involved with fandom for any of them.
Anthro/Feral, Therian or Kemonomimi (Not a furry, just a human with animal ears and a tail)?
Sure. I love greek mythology and anime as well as cartoon animals.
Are you a fursuiter? If yes, How many do you own? If No, do you ever plan on being a suiter?
I am not. I do not plan on it. I do admire a good costume though.
How many of your friends are furry?
Maybe a half-dozen? Of the people I actually see in person.
How many pets do you own, if any?
None, my mouse died last year, I love cats but haven't owned one in years.
Aside from furry what other interests do you have?
Gaming, music, hiking, horseback riding, history, etc. etc.
Are you confident enough in yourself to say that you're a fur, no matter what the media says?
Probably not. I don't feel any solidarity with the fandom.
Meetups
Do you attend any cons? If no, would you attend any cons? If yes, which cons have you been to?
I've been to ConFurence twice, once almost 20 years ago because I was broke and needed to sell some art, and once a couple of years ago, to see a friend and promote my comic back when I thought I could produce it reliably.
Do you go to local meetups (bowling, public outings...etc)?
Nope
Have you ever attended a furry party? If no, would you attend one?
I have not. Don't really have any intention to but I might if circumstances were right.
Online
Have you ever met up with a fur you talked to online?
Yep.
What furry websites do you attend?
Used to browse Yerf, nowadays it's just here and Club Stripes.
What non furry websites do you frequent?
Oh geez... the Internet?
Has the fandom done anything for you that you're thankful for? Has it taught you anything or brought you anything you treasure greatly?
I had so many things to say but I forgot them.
I really like your response to "What are your favorite aspects of our community?" question. Accepting people who live differentlytthan you.
Also, what are fur conventions? I've heard and read about them but I am not sure if I can actually grasp what they are.
From watching people at the conventions I have been to, I think the point is simply to be with other people who share your interest in this quirky fandom without having to worry about whether they are judging you. Furry conventioneers are about the most casually intimate and extroverted people I have ever experienced (sometimes too much so!), and it seems to me that conventions are one of the few places that they can relax and be themselves.
But I don't know, I'm not directly involved in the fandom, so any theory I have is armchair anthropology (so to speak). Anyone want to jump in on this?
"The Get Along Gang" cartoon show was one that got me interested in actual drawing of anthro animals. and "Albedo", "Usagi Yojimbo", and "Omaha" were influences.
I always based my interests in anthro animals from a creative standpoint...seeing the many ways animal characters can be depicted in human terms of emotion and behavior with many talented artists and writers who are/were into this...even more intense than me. Print media was the biggest thing back then with APA's (members printing their own pages of their art, stories, and knowledge and collating all of the pages into zines for distribution within the membership) and quality 'zines the hot commodity. My art was and is now was never the quality acceptable enough to gain membership in said zines then...although drawing reams of pinups of characters posing emotionless with no punch line and in various sexual positions for the most part was never a style I am comfortable with nor did I have the funds to print hundreds of pages for collation regularly anyhow.
I attended Further Confusion for a few years when it was held in San Mateo, CA during the early 2000s. While I am aware of the many artist names in the dealer's room from my comic book and zine knowlege, I do not know anyone personally. Coming into the con "cold" in going solo was an eyeopener with various groups breaking off into their circles (sketching in their sketch books, fursuiting, dealers/top artists mingling on their side of the tables, scritch/yiff enthusiasts in their own groups) and seeing not much of interaction to those "outside" of their various circles. I'm a rather private person myself so I rather quietly blend rather than call heavy attention to myself. No fursuits or tails attached to my person...just a standard casual jeans and t-shirt wardrobe.
The groups I tended to identify with most of the time at those cons were the hotel staff and non-fur con guests looking bemused at the goings-ons...outsiders looking in. I just concentrated on adding to my comics and art collection, being friendly to anyone wishing to talk or to the artists whom I am making purchases from, looking at the art show displays (many excellent skilled work, some in very questionable taste), and attending a few lecture/discussions on the creative side of anthro animals. Nice way to spend an afternoon or two per convention to see others who share my interests...but probably not a level of interest enough to fly several hundreds of mile and to spend 3 whole days at other fur conventions from my point of view and budget.
If one knows someone or a group well enough at a fur convention, the experience would probably be more interesting.