Agreed.

I do not consider myself furry because of the disgusting stereotype of a furry.
I am on this site because I enjoy using animals mixed with people in symbolism.
I am on this site to make money too.
I am not "a furry", please, I am an anthro artist. I don't like animals. At all!
But I enjoy drawing them.
I think it is up to each individual to decide whether they want to be
classified for every one of their actions.

that stereotype only exists in the minds of people who feel the same as you. not every furry is sexually interested in furry/anthro art, not every furry is a creepster. this fandom was started for and by the people who liked animal and anthro characters in television shows and movies and who wanted to enjoy anthro characters in art. the sexual side is in no way representative of the fandom as a whole. that'd be like saying every fan of anime is a shipper. it's just not true. sorry friend, i personally think you're being judgmental by saying you aren't a furry. also, you have a fursona. so... yup. you're a furry.

small side note, it's never up to an individual to decide what their actions classify them as. actions are objective. if someone rapes someone but doesn't want to be seen as a rapist, it doesn't matter. they still are one. sure, extreme example, but you see where i'm going i'm sure.

I am sorry to have reacted with such hostility. It makes me sad to see
that some have such a black and white view of people.
Sorry, I'll be quiet now.. aaa I hate arguing. Should have kept my mouth shut.
However, let it be known that I do disagree with the example of the rapist and emptyset's comment.

oh, no, don't feel bad. i love me a spirited debate. and, you are entitled to your opinions.

I suppose, well thank you or your tolerance. haha

tolerance is bullshit. i accept you completely. don't want you to feel shitty.

beautiful words. Maybe some time I'll be as kind as you.

^This

Just like a guy having sex with another guy and saying it's not gay.

exactly. what would be the point of denying that it was gay? because person sees it as a bad thing. and it isn't.

*the person

Actually that's a bad example. It's logically possible for a man to have sex with another man and yet he may not be categorically gay. He may be a straight man who is intoxicated, experimenting, fulfilling a dare challenge, in desperation, or facing some other powerful or unusual kind of influence that causes him to act in way contrary to his normal or true inclinations.

A better example would be for a man who is attracted to other men and has sex with them denying that he is gay or what he is doing is gay.

i agree, though i didn't want to get into this debate and instead decided that empty was referring to the act as being gay, which i am comfortable accepting. trust me i spent a moment thinking this over. glad you brought up those points though, thank you friend. ^^

(for example, i'm a transguy and my boyfriend is a cis guy and we have gay sex but are pan)

It's clear that the reason why people refuse to identify themselves as "furry" when they obviously fulfill the most foundational requirements is that they want to distance themselves from stereotypes or what they perceive to be negative aspects associated with the fandom. But like you pointed out, it's a false assumption and mistake in reasoning to say that being a furry must categorically include all inclinations, behaviors, or beliefs that furries collectively happen to hold.

On the other hand, there really isn't a firm objective definition of what precisely a furry is. The closest you can get to such a definition is to find whatever quality or qualities all self-identified furries have in common that also distinguishes them from the population at large and other subgroups. In this case that seems to be some basic interest or fascination with anthropomorphic animals.

Mmm very well said, I must agree. :)