After reading some comments on news articles, I had a thought and possibly a new outlook on something. Why do furries use pseudonyms? Most of the detractors in the comment sections of the news articles produced this weekend claim that as a whole we are a group that does not know what is socially or morally acceptable. I submit a counter argument here that our use of pseudonyms disproves this claim.

A lack of caring for a social norm would mean that we would stand behind all of our actions with our true identities. The use of pseudonyms and anonymity plus the high control of the media coverage of conventions can be construed that we do recognize that we do not fit a social norm and that while our culture is harmless to outsiders, we understand that people see us as weird and are therefore threatened by what they do not understand.

In the interest of not being prejudged by our families, friends, coworkers, and employers, we choose to don a mask of anonymity so we can openly enjoy the freedom to do what we like with minimal intrusions in our lives.

In essence, a furry convention is much like the Internet as a whole. A highly connected group of people hiding behind different levels of anonymity. As seen firsthand, furry conventions have their own cliques, subcultures, and interests. The thing that ties us together is our own self awareness and willingness to go to any length to preserve what we love.

While there are those that may disagree with my sentiments, realize that as someone of integrity this is my personal opinion of being a part of this fandom for over a decade. I appreciate any form of civil dissent and welcome any support, and thank you for reading this long journal of mine.

And the obligatory tl;dr: Furries are mostly ethical people with a few fringe outliers, just like the rest of the world.