I don't really mind, and in the end it's not like it really matters.
More importantly I'm proud of being what I want, be it furry or otherwise, since you know, you should always be proud of what you are regardless of fandom and other such related things.
As for being proud of the fandom, I'll just say not really, then again, stick me in any other fandom and I'll likely say the same thing.

Do you ever feel overbearingly embarrassed, though?

Idk, I'm not particularly proud or anything now that I think about it, but I am proud enough of what I am, if that makes any sense.

I think I understand what you mean. You're not spreading furry propaganda or attending the local fur parade, but you're confident enough to tell people if it were to come up in a conversation? Or to show people a piece of art without wanting to end your own existence.

Pretty much, yes.
It's like being proud to be gay, I'm proud enough to be content with what I am and what not, but it's not like I need to go around telling peeps and what not.
So yeah, you described it for me pretty spot-on.

I am! I'd rather show a "good" example of what a furry can be rather than the negative stereotypes there already are. Fight the stereotypes!

But aren't you afraid that people just ignore your actions and only lean on the bad stereotypes? Are you ashamed at all to be even vaguely associated with those bad stereotypes?

lol no. I'd wear a fursuit and maybe fuck in it if I were drunk enough.
Also, people tend to think I'm better than them. Dunno why. So they just assume I break the stereotype and form a new idea of what furries are based off of people like me. Also, fear and shame are overrated. If you're not enjoying your life and preparing for the future, then why not change and just go for it? If you worry too much about what people think, then you'll never do the things you want to do. People will always be asshats. I just don't give a fuck about them unless they determine my wages and workload. :|

"If you worry too much about what people think, then you'll never do the things you want to do. People will always be asshats. I just don't give a fuck about them"

this.

what is fur pride anyway

i hate all forms of pride

i think having fur pride entails giving up all connections to regular society and only associating yourself with furries

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/76/2.....26e7dd0c04.jpg

That is furry pride, Macks.

Personally, I try to save my pride for things that really matter. If you create an amazing piece of art, run a marathon or save somebody's life, that's something to be proud of. Being proud of yourself because you like anthro art or wear a fursuit is kind of a weird concept because it hardly seems to hold any real significance from my point of view.

Maybe what I mean is how do you internally feel about being a furry? Is the confidence you have about it overpower the utter shame brought on by poor stereotypes?

I'm comfortable talking about furry shit around my close friends, but I avoid bringing it up with most people. Internally, I don't really consider myself to be that much of a furry, if at all. All I do on this site is look at art. I don't have a character or anything like that.

I thing the fear of the public eye is the one thing most curries have in common. I don't have pride, percé, but I am also fearless when it comes to non-furries. The first con I went to I noticed everyone feigning ignorance when asked questions about the random, or spitting out pre-rehearsed mechanical blanket explanations, when I was ready to actually talk about it. I think we've discussed my opinion of associated pride or otherwise outspokenness.

I just don't think there's any reason to be shy or ashamed about something you like, but that doesn't mean you need to be proud of yourself for liking it either.

I am totally a closet furry. NOBODY KNOWS WHAT I SECRETLY AM INSIDE.

But no. Seriously. I keep it very hush-hush because of all the stigma. I don't even associate myself as "furry" online or in person, even though I know I should be in that group for my interests/what I draw. Unfortunately there are way too many furs that have given the entire fandom a bad stink. THAT and I mean. Common. It is a fetish-based fandom... which people... don't normally talk about openly. :U

inb4NOTALLFURRYSAREFORSEX: yes, I know, but I like werewolf porn okay? I'm not going to tell most of the people I know this ~random~ fact about me.

I like it.

I also hate it.