Yes, that does happen on occasion, but that doesn't have to be the rule.
I still firmly believe that this group is mostly made up of good hearted
wonderful people, and I would love to share this with the public at large.

I think it'd be a great idea! Problem is, of course, that it would be interaction between convention attendees and non-attendees that could reflect negatively on the convention itself if anything goes wrong. That's the entire reason they don't do it.

I liked... what was it.. AC who took the fursuit parade outside? That'd be a nice thing to do, if the community was into it.

Yes, I agree, the idea is fraught with pitfalls, and would have to run and
monitored very carefully. The right group could pull it off, no problem.
And yes, the fursuit parade at AC was amazing, and the highlight of the
con for me. Thank you for the great comment!

We actually do that every year at the italian furcon Zampacon, for a couple of hours or so before the parade we have the fursuiters going on the beach to play with kids ^^

Really?! Wow, that is so cool!
I didn't even know that there was an Italian con.
I'll have to delve into this further.
Thank you for the great comment and the information!

Anthrocon did part of their parade outside and there was a huge turnout. But I agree, there needs to be more to it.

Yes, that was an amazing moment for me and the best part of the con.
I want that type of interaction to last longer, and I believe that this is entirely possible.
Thank you for the insight!

I'll do it, bro. I'll even reel in my colourful language for the time.

Too bad we don't get the reception at other con cities we get in Pittsburgh- Anthrocon is too big to comfortably interact with the public. DAT PARADE AND WEATHER >.>'''''

Oh yes, it's amazing the way Pittsburgh embraces us, and I think it goes a long way
towards helping our reputation.

If you reel in your salty language, I'll slow up on the beer drinking.
Can you imagine?

The worst day of all time!

so i take it some one yiffed up again. so what is this thing a bout someone and a cereal mascot or was that just a random meme i saw

The silly Tony the Tiger harassment thingy is an example of why we need to
meet the public face to face, and show them that we're more than just
tiger stalkers. I think this is do-able!

The people outside of this community need to know that furries are just people like them.

EXACTLY!
Fun loving, creative, happy people.
That's all I could ask for.

You know how FC is sharing the convention venue and hotel with the girl's volleyball tournament? Maybe there would be a fun day for them to take a break, like a tournament with the volley girls playing against the furries. :3

Oh god, we'd lose so bad...

Hehe, totally. XD

Id love to go to a Children's hospital and entertain kids for a few hours. Im sure the Hospital would make the suiters to fill out a visiting log, thou.

Yes, getting to entertain at a hospital is a daunting process, and
for good reason.
If it were to happen, you're one of the first people
I would want to represent the fandom.

I have to think of what Kijani-Lion and his non-profit organization Emerald Critters does. There's even something like that here in Austria, a small group of suiters that visits hospitals. Not sure though how to open up cons for the general public. It's kinda the point that like-minded people can gather without being looked at as weirdos, no? I like the idea of inviting a "deserving audience" though, I just wonder who should judge that, and how. Maybe letting people into the art show, while making sure to steer them away from the adult area XD

Yes, I have no idea how one would judge an audience as "deserving," and
I think that the meet and greet would have to take place outside the con space
per se. It certainly is an interesting idea, but would take a great deal of planning!

This is actually inspiring. A long time ago when I first got my fursuit I did everything with it similar to yourself. I went to bars, malls, outdoor places, beach, arcades, hiking and so on. As much as the community offers as a family of fellow fuzzy critters I still found it enjoyable to be out with the public just being silly, hyper and seeing how happy and excited people get when something different comes into their lives with some energy. It was so positive that even my non furry friends would go out with me just for the experience and we always had a good time even if we were just walking around checking stuff out. Heck I've even randomly shown up at work in my fursuit on days off and you know? They laugh.

As the adventurous type I think what we might need to do a little bit more is be with other people rather than ourselves. We get comfortable in our little crafted environments and sometimes don't get integrated into the rest of the world. I say be more part of it even if just a little so you can brighten someone else's day because lets face it, if you do something that takes them out of their boring, mundane routine throws a monkey wrench in and at the very least you can make them crack a smile then wouldn't it make you feel better knowing it was you that just caused it?

Great comment! Thank you so much.
You mirror my thoughts in so many ways, and it's folks like
you that I wrote this journal for.
It's a shame that we can't share the magic with a wider audience,
and I hope we can change that soon!

I know myself as one single person can only do so much but you know what? That little bit I can do and those few I can influence are worth it to me because it's more than it would be sitting here on the internet going nowhere.

I have thought about what you wrote for years. There were times where we got several suits at the Norman Ren fair it was amazing!
We all were asked to sit with the king and queen for photos that day. So many people saw us that day! Norman fair gets a lot of families!
This last Christmas,I went out to a lights festival and the people loved me! And I even was able to do a few bowling meets.
But the problem is getting the furs to do it. Sometimes they just dont want to,or the place they want do it at thinks we are terrorists,or the furs are afraid of the public.
AC was the only place I have ever seen so many furs outside the hotel just walking about so blissfully. And no negative comments at that.....

Yes, I agree, Ren Fairs and the like are great places to suit, and the public reaction is wonderful.
It's a shame that there aren't more venues open to the public and furries alike, and AC
was a wonderful example of what can happen when we feel welcome in the community.

I agree to this with 100%. I enjoy fursuiting when I go out to do charities for Breast Cancer relays. The people and kids enjoy it and admire that I sweat in a suit and make them laugh. I would love to fursuit at a Children's Hospital and have a story time or a game time with the kids, since I am not far from one.

You are awesome, and I had folks like you in mind when I wrote this journal.
I hope we get the chance to be fuzzy animals for the kids in the near future.
Thanks for the great comment!

i think, sorry to sound negative, a lot of anti-furry friction, is that a lot of people don't want to see talent and creativity,
or much of anything else, that is out side of the box of their familiar expectations.

i don't expect it would create anything other the further resentment to try and force it on them.

that is why we herd and flock together to the relative safety of our own numbers.
i know its a shame that so many people just don't want to see or even imagine what they are screwing themselves out of.

you do have the good right idea. to me this is what all art, is, or should be about.
to open eyes to all the good things they might not otherwise be familiar with.

we have some of the problem of mundania in miniature within furry too.
a lot of people have come in, those who didn't know we existed in the early days,
maybe hadn't even been born yet, who see furry as just a party,
a place to sneak off and do what they don't want mommy and daddy to see at home.

well nothing wrong with part of that, i guess i'm getting negative again,
but it seems like, a lot of furs, don't really care about anything like
how we could live in harmony with the environment without having to abondon technology to drugery,
the usual, and totally false, anti-environment excuse, or avoid accelerating extinction from crowding out
species habitats, even the ones they feel inclined or compelled to portray.

yes, furrys are, by and large, far above the total average of human creativity,
enough so for even entertainment media to envy us.

i like the idea of being able to relax together among people who understand what they share
and share what they understand. the rest of the world may need us, but do we really need
to prove anything to the rest of the world?

the best, i think we can do, would be to exemplify to others,
how people can live in a way they can enjoy living,
without being inconsiderate or harmful.

and with our art, in all its form, to illustrate what a world in which people did so,
might then, as a result, look like.

Yes, I agree, I would never want to force this fandom or it's
artistic ideals on anyone, but I do think there is a percentage
of the population that would enjoy what we do, and of
course kids are the group most likely to appreciate
the imagination on display in the fandom.

You are correct in saying that there is a group within our group that
is only here for the party aspect, and that's OK.
I believe that there are many more that are here for the love
and acceptance, and that's what I would love to share with the public.

Thanks for the great comment!

I can't begin to describe how much I love this idea.
My entire heart bursts at the seams with something about making other people happy.-- anything really.

But, I admit a discomfort and the large chance that, even stuff like this, won't change everyone's opinion. People will still hate us. Hate us for being different.

But.. you know what, even so with that. If as a community, any lot of people could make any other lot happy. Why not! If you an bring smiles to faces, do it, god knows this world needs more chances like that.

Now, to add to that..even I've thought about even so gathering a small group of suiters from around myself to visit hospitals,nursing homes, or something. Upon request and set up to brighten patient moods.
sometimes the people hiding behind the medical traumas could really use a smile, and hell sometimes they really could be like our spark. Or grow to love it.

you make a valid point, as a whole the shine is during conventions... but I suppose that's what a convention is, a time to let out our inner--heh-- rainbows. For a bit, To be something we can't be outside.

Yes, exactly!
I love how you said; "let our inner rainbows out."
Well done, that's exactly the feeling that I'm trying to capture.
Thank you for the great comment!

Anthrocon last year was a start. But I agree, this needs to happen more.
A million dollars in fur, yeah sounds about right for AC, EF, etc.

Yes, if we could carry that AC experience to other conventions, and
on a larger scale, it would be a beautiful thing!

The cons do go by too quickly, but I will admit that I usually find myself either alone or unable to connect much with many. I'm so used to working or trying to achieve an objective that it's virtually impossible for me to have a decent conversation.

That said, the times I've had the most fun at cons is fursuiting outside the convention. Although I won't be able to attend AC this year, some of my fondest memories were of venturing downtown in suit. There were folks who wanted pictures and the like, and there was even a little jazz convention downtown that was most welcoming. The kiddies were happy and we got to dance, and there were many who were happy to watch or play.

I'd love to venture further out in suit, because it's outside the con that the people see the uniqueness and fun of it all.

Yes, I agree 100%
The best suiting is suiting away from the convention,
as it brings the best reactions and interactions.
I feel like I'm preaching to the choir when I walk around
the con space, but I feel special and excited when I venture
into the public arena.
I would love to be able to share this experience on a larger scale!
Thank you for capturing and sharing that feeling.

Yes. Do it.

I think this is a great idea! What about a con chartering a bus to go visit a place where kids are? Then we'd be taking volunteers who are willing to filter their language. In other words, rather then bring kids to the con, take part of the con to the kids. :)

I love that idea!
Can you imagine a bus full of fuzzy characters unloading at
a children's hospital? It gives me goose bumps just thinking
about it, and I know there are many others who would
enjoy and participate in such a venture.
Thank you for being one of those folks!

Agreed 1000%.

We're such a talented community, and we should really share more of our talents and our heart with the world.

When we hide out behind hotel walls, the average person will fill in the blanks about furries with what they've seen or heard before--and a lot of what people have seen or heard isn't flattering, fair, or accurate!

Yes, well said!
The more we share, the more public perception will change.
Thank you for the great comment!

Some of the best cons are the ones that have access to non furry people. While entertaining children, is a fine thing to do, everyone needs to have a smile, and a break from what is considered normal.

Some of my best experiences suiting have been from interaction with adults, who would have never considered having a chat with a group of animals. The expressions on their faces, when they learn we do this for fun, and their smiles are the payment, is a wonderful thing.

Oh yes, I agree!
I've had some amazing and interesting conversations with adults,
and it's gratifying when you turn a jaded question into a hug and a smile.
Thank you for being part of the group that gets this!

This so much! I wanna go around Portland sometime wearing Toby, hopefully in spring since is not too hot, ans hopefully some others may join

Oh yes, that would be amazing!
I would love to join you for that adventure.

You should totally visit Portland if you get the chance!

I say go for it. Best of luck to you.

Thank you!
I'll see where this all leads.

I have missed seeing you around just terribly and it made me happy to see you were still around.

There are so many negative connotations of our group. I brought it up at work once which was a huge mistake. People assume it is like a giant gangbang. Maybe someday that will change.

Yes, I'm still lurking around, and I have no plans of going away!
I agree, there are many negative stereotypes to crush, and I think
that the more public interaction we have the better.
Thank you for the great comment!

I don't think I've ever been so happy as when I heard the shrill sound of a tiny girl dressed as a princess going "ITS A DRAGON I WANT A HUG A DRAGON" while I was in suit and welp, I think I got the biggest hug ever. I wish I could do that more often! I love suiting at cons, but sometimes I really wish I could goof around more costuming events and stuff!

Yes, that IS the best part of suiting, and it's a shame that we
can't share that feeling on a wider basis and to a larger audience.
Thank you for the great comment!

BLFC had their parade swing outside for part of it, and there was a pretty decent gathering of people not there for the con watching and cheering and generally enjoying the hell out of it. There was a family near where I parked myself, they could have crawled right out of a caricature of the "tourist" family drawn on a postcard. Dad was laughing his head off, in a good-natured way, except when Mom really started getting into wolf-whistling at some of the more, ah, finely-chiseled suits.

I feel like Anthrocon's home city has embraced them to the point where there's a LOT they could do out and about, but not sure how much they're actually exercising that.

Yes, and I have it on good authority that BLFC is going to have a public
meet and greet this year, so I believe that we are making strides all the time.

I think I saw that same tourist family... priceless!

Okay dog, I have been thinking about this. We could pre-arrange for some of us super lame adults that show up to a con on like.. wednesday or thursday, to spend the evening not in drink, but we can arrange ahead of time to visit a childrens ward at the hospital or something. I'm no good with coming up with venues, but it's a logistical possibility.

(Anthrocon may be a good start- the city already appreciates the hell out of us, and Pitt Childrens hospital would probably love got us to visit for an hour or three- they're down on 44th after the split int he market district, probably 20 minute ride by bus, more likely 10).

Yes, I agree, that venue makes perfect sense!
Thank you for giving this some thought.
I'll contact a couple of folks that may be able to help us make this happen.

Cool, thank you so much for the invite!
I do hope to make it to AC this year, and I'm still negotiating my schedule.
I really appreciate the kind words, and I'll see you soon!

I just wanted to note that from what I've seen furry conventions are a lot more than just a bunch of weirdo kinky people. That's only a small segment of people who go there. There are fundraisers for charities, artist alley's where people can sell arts and crafts, gaming sessions, music jams, performances, costuming, panels, special guests and since most of them take place in hotels full of non-furries as well there's a bit of community outreach as well.

Given the positive press furries have been seeing of late and of course the millions of dollars Anthrocon brings into its host city I think furry conventions are a lot different than the stuffy awkward get together's they used to be. That's both a good and a bad thing but for the most part I think furry going mainstream over the last few years has made it a lot more likely we'll be seeing more non-furs at cons than we used to.

Well said!
I do think furry and furry conventions are moving in the right direction.
I hope this trend continues!

Me, too. Also-Thank you for being you <3