Poll: Furries? Hate them? Love them?

[joshuaayt]

I may not feel as they do, but I will fight for their right to feel it.

And what right, exactly, would I have to condemn an entire harmless demographic? It would be like hating people who wear contact lenses; I don't, because I like my glasses and they generate no detrimental effects, but I'm not going to care if you wear them. Go nuts.

 

[Nunny]

I find it weird how the entire fandom is labeled as a fetish, we dont call Gaming a fetish just because there is gaming porn out there.

 

[Neonic-Ink]

Also if an actual furry would care to explain why they believe what they do I would be interested to hear it.

Alright, I'd be happy to give you my take. I'm a furry, very happy to be one.

First: we're a fandom. The way you say it, we sound like a cult. We're not. Most furries just like the art: that is, art involving anthropomorphic animals. Not necessarily pornography.

If you care to know, my fursona is a tiger salamander (not a tiger-salamander hybrid. A black salamander with yellow spots). I don't believe that it's a spirit animal, or that I'm an animal at heart. It just appeals to me, and suits me. It's more like an alter-ego than anything.

As a whole culture, being a furry is very much centered on personal freedoms and accepting others. We like to have fun, we don't like to judge or hate on others. Very peace-oriented.

As to why we get so much hate, I think it's just misinformation. People see the pornography and that's all they know of furries. If someone says they're like anime, do you automatically assume they've got a huge stash of hentai? Hopefully not, considering your avatar. Why bring such unprovoked hatred towards people you don't even know or understand?

Thank you so much. Couldn't have explained it better; even if I tried.

 

[fletch_talon]

Well, first of all "furry" is a lot easier to say than "anthropomorphic animal" and it's much more appealing than "anthro". And while they are related, there isn't a need for them to be synonymous. I understand that.

The point I'm trying to make is that being a fan of something so specific shouldn't really require a label besides "fan of [insert whatever]". People who play games, are indeed labeled as gamers. There are however a lot of genres within games, none of these (to my knowledge) have a special name for themselves.
I'm just trying to say that there's no need to differentiate between someone who appreciates "Anime/Disney with humans" and "Anime/Disney with anthro/furry characters".

But why are you saying it's a bad thing? Isn't art about personal expression? Instead of asking "why does that knight need ears and tail" maybe ask "why did the artist think that this would be appealing?".

I'm not saying anthro art is a bad thing, not at all. In that situation I would probably say "What a kickass kangaroo knight" (I drew a kangaroo knight once). I think its just appealing because its something different from the norm, and it can be interesting seeing different approaches to humanising animals.

I suppose the word came about as a way to organize with a community. You know, people who like different genres of art form together.

And that's where I get confused. I was a member of a Spyro the Dragon fan forum a while back. The community didn't need a specific name, we were fans of Spyro, or Spyro fans. Sure, we could have called ourselves Spyrons but it would seem a bit over the top to me.
In the case of furries, not only is the label unecessary, it causes people to lump you in with the furry fetishists and otherkin (as I've heard them be called). Whether they deserve it or not (I'm undecided in some cases) these 2 groups have gained some degree of hate and disgust. I simply think that it should be possible to form a community around appreciation of anthro characters without being associated with the extremists.

But furry art covers different genres as well. There's music, painting/drawing/illustrating, film, literature, clothing and accessories (and the fursuits).

I know. I thought I said before (but I think I may deleted it) but I'm a big fan of the Redwall series and just finished reading the 2 Duncton series of books... which actually contains fairly vivid descriptions of moles having sex...
I'm not really doing much good with the whole "I don't consider myself a furry" thing, am I?

In my defence its more of a "don't affiliate myself with such a specific group when I have extremely varied tastes" thing than a "I don't like it that much I swear" thing.

Finally, as I've said the last 2 times now. It doesn't really matter, you've accepted my right not to label myself as a furry simply because I can see artistic merit in "furry art", and despite my arguing, I do respect your right to label yourself as you wish.
The term won't change any time soon, if at all so any points I've been trying to make are pretty redundant.

 

[Brandon237]

Meh...

That is all, Whatever turns you on, not my business. And there are far weirder things out there, and it hurts no-one.

 

[Mcupobob]

I honestly don't care. What you do to get your rocks off as long as it doesn't hurt any no-consenting adult. Then go ahead. The animal soul thing is weird, but people are able to believe what they want.

Not to mention there apparently is so many variety of what a furry is they its almost impossible to single them out as a single group and why would you want to? Have you ever been attacked by a gang of furries? Harmed or taunted by one, or has a group of them ever come to your door and preach their beliefs to you, no? Then what they why the hell do you feel bothered by them?

 

[Lunepyre]

http://www.furaffinity.net/user/asexualfurry/

Only fur group I know of for asexual furs. I've been a member for a while.
2 Gryphon actually came out as asexual somewhat recently, there's a journal up there on it.

The opinion of some random person on the net really means fuck all to me so I'm just shrugging off this thread, will leave that little bit of info for those of you interested and that is all.
I suggest everyfur else does the same so this topic can just fade away as it should.

 

[smeghead25]

Oh damn. I read 'Furies' and though ZOMG RESISTANCE 2 XD

And then it was this. So it's a Meh for me. Nover really cared, each to their own etc etc...

 

[Gordon_4_v1legacy]

Why do you hate?

All that accomplishes is making you look like an ignorant bigot.
Most furries are no different than you, other than the fact that they appreciate a style of art. Big deal. Gamers can be demonized just as easily.

Look at this, and tell me what's so evil about Furries.

I don't see anything weird, porny, squicky, or anything bad about that picture.

Its kinda sweet actually, makes me wanna play Otis Redding 'Sittin on the Dock of the Bay' for some reason.


Listen, a furry fits into the same category as most paraphillias or fetishes that exist. Unless it contravenes standing law, I'm cool with it and given the amount of truly terrible things that exist in this our world, I could care less about Furries. They don't rank frankly.

On that note:

 

[Lunepyre]

http://www.furaffinity.net/user/asexualfurry/

Only fur group I know of for asexual furs. I've been a member for a while.
2 Gryphon actually came out as asexual somewhat recently, there's a journal up there on it.

The opinion of some random person on the net really means fuck all to me so I'm just shrugging off this thread, will leave that little bit of info for those of you interested and that is all.
I suggest everyfur else does the same so this topic can just fade away as it should.

Doesn't seem to be much conclusiveness at all. Doesn't really help that being "Asexual" is becoming the new bisexual in the list of things that makes you a unique snowflake for attention on the internet.

Was just leavin it cuz someone had been looking for a group and all that, no other reason. Information for those who wanted more on it, that's all.

 

[Chrono212]

I like it. I show it with my avatar. I don't rub it in peoples faces. [sub][sub]Too much.[/sub] X3[/sub]

On that note:

I'll go with that =^_^=

 

[Dexiro]

It's just a bit of fun for them, it's not harming anyone.

Some can be creepy and some can be "in your face" about it, but they're just a vocal minority. Normal Furries are actually really nice people a lot of the time.

I find it weird how the entire fandom is labeled as a fetish, we dont call Gaming a fetish just because there is gaming porn out there.

And this guy raises a good point!

By default there's nothing sexual about Furries. I'll admit there is a good chunk of the fandom into the porn but it's not enough to label the entire fandom as a fetish.
Like I said for most people it's just a bit of fun.

 

[Kris015]

I don't love 'em and I don't hate 'em.

 

[AngloDoom]

Really?

I know it's cool and all to show how much more awesome than we are to 'fur-fags' but, really, with all the shit out there on the internet we decide to take a nice easy target to show just how cool it is to "hate" people who have a totally harmless past-time.

So know, I don't hate or love furries. They're just people who either like a certain style of art (which I personally find quite adorable if done tastefully) or people with a fetish. There's a lot more harmful or freaky fetishes out there.

 

[Dedtoo]

I like the whole anthro part, as an art style, but not in a sexual way. Does that realy make me something you hate?

 

[Sigmar ov The Hammer]

I'm not really sure what I think.
The extremists that you describe, I most likely don't like.
But as for the rest, live and let live.
Then again, saying live and let live is very hypocritical of me, for I am very anti-christian.
But more to the point, I guess if you're going to hate on furries, why not hate on LARPers too?
I myself do not LARP, but would if I could because it looks quite fun, but the idea of escapism and getting away from the reality of this boring modern world seems to be apparent in both LARP, furries, or most ropleplay type things.
So if it makes these furries happy then leave em' be.