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My Take On What Furry Is
 Furs are individuals who find some form of facination with anthropomorphic (described or thought of as having a human form or human attributes [SOURCE]) animals. Anthro animals are an intrinsic part of our culture: the fables of Aesop, Schultz's Snoopy, ancient werewolf legends and A.A.Milne's Poohbear. They allow us to see ourselves from different angles - both for good and for evil.
Most furs take the expression of thier interest to a new level and roleplay an anthropomorphic animal amongst thier peers. I have found that expressing ones self through an animal to which you feel akin gives you clarity of mind and the ability to relate to others of your species.
Furs come in all shapes and sizes, nationalities, sexualities, and sides of the political fence. We have our own customs, culture, artwork, and meeting places, though we all tend to be open-minded towards the opinions of anyone returns the favor.
Common Questions
Myth: We all encourge intercourse with animals.
False. While there is an increased percentage of furs who engage in such activities, this is due to the fact that the zoophile/bestial culture overlaps ours demographically more than that of popular culture. The opinion of many furs is that this subculture may be divided into two parts: Zoophilia - espousing or engaging in acts seen as coinciding with the animal's free will, and beastiality - espousing or engaging in acts seen as going against the animal's free will. While I do not personally partake in either, I have no problem with zoophiles. There are more important things to bicker about than bed-mates. I do, however, view beastiality as a form of rape, and tend not to associate with those for whom it is a way of life.
Myth: We don't do anything but sit in front of the computer.
False. Among our ranks are many formidable and creative minds participating in just about every career field and interest.
Myth: You're all gay.
False. Again, furs are of all sexualities including straight, and of either gender. The percentage of openly gay, lesbian, and bisexual furs, however, is much higher than that of popular culture. I attribute this to the fact that we are on the whole more accepting or at least tolerant of others' preferences, making our gatherings more friendly to those of alternate sexualities.
You're all a bunch of sex-crazed freaks!
True. Well, at least I am. Many of us do not take a sexual standpoint on furry and use it as a social sounding board and meeting place. Out of those who DO view it from a sexual standpoint, most tend to be very sincere and very forward. Unlike some testosterone/estrogen-poisoned non-furs, we will back off if asked.
What about hermaphrodites, crossdressers, bondage, etc.?
Well, what about them? Once again, our accepting culture has a higher percentage of these minorities. These, for the most part, are acceptable forms of expression amongst furs.
- Non-consentual sex basically means rape. It is generally found to be acceptible if and only if roleplayed between two consenting adults. My advice from personal experience is to discuss beforehand the use of a few key words that will tell your partner, "I'm uncomfortable: We need to stop," because words such as "No" or "Stop" can be construed as roleplaying and will lead towards hurt feelings, crossed boundaries, or even unintentional rape. Phrases such as, "red light (stop)" and "yellow light (slow down)," will not likely appear naturally durring roleplay and make excellent safewords. It ALWAYS pays to be safe.
- Hermaphrodites (or herms) are those who carry both female and male sexual charactersitics.
- "Netsexuals" is a term I've coined for those playing a character of the opposite sex.
- BDSM stands for Bondage, Dominance (or Discipline), Sadism, and Masochism.
- Bondage is the act of restricting a partner durring sex for sexual pleasure.
- Dominance is the act of asserting authority over a partner for sexual pleasure. Those that practice it are called doms(m), dommes(f), masters or owners.
- Submission is the act of accepting authority from a partner for sexual pleasure. Those that practice it are called subs, submissives, slaves, or pets.
- Discipline is the act of using punishment of some form in addition to dominance.
- Sadism is the act of inflicting pain on a partner for sexual pleasure. Doing this by drawing blood is called bloodsport.
- Masochism is the act of receiving pain from a partner for sexual pleasure.
- Water-sports and scat are the practices of deriving sexual pleasure from employing urine or feces in the sexual act.
- Plushiphilia is a sexual attraction towards intercourse with plushies (stuffed animals).
- Voraphilia is the essential opposite of claustrophobia. Voraphiles are stimulated by the feeling that they are being swallowed or crushed alive.
- Crossdressing is the practice of wearing clothes of the other gender for the purpose of defining your identity.
- Pediphilia is a sexual attraction towards children. This is NOT accepted outside a roleplaying environment between two consenting adults in popular culture, nor is it generally accepted amongst furs. Roleplaying tendancies such as pediphilia and rape in an appropriate environment can redirect urges otherwise expressed in real life, and is a safe and healthy way to do so.
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Species Synopsis
Here is a list of species with which I have had the pleasure of meeting. I hope that it gives you insight into what type of animal best expresses your personality, or at least allows you a better look at who furs are.
Foxspeak
Furry links
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