Advice: Telling others about being furry

[WingedZephyr]

Got any questions, hints, or suggestions about telling friends, family members, etc. about being a furry? Or a story of your own experiences you'd like to share? Post them here!

[Alice The Necrofox]

Well since most people believe that we are all disgusting perverts who wear suits, that is kind of a firewall. My strategy goes like this:
1. While they are looking through my sketchbook, they discover Anthro art.
2. They inquire (results ranging between mediocer reaction to complete psycopathic rage)
3. I explain
4. They (either) run away screaming, or understand (more likely)
5. Besides a couple odd jokes now and then, we get along fine.

works for me

[Nyyrikkia Anikeria]

Get them into a really good mood.

[jakob_furreault]

hmm would this be a good way of coming out?: were having a public speeking contest and my topic is about furries. ive already started the speach and am gonna do a slide show about it at the end during questions im sure someone will ask me where i got my topic so i pull down the collar of my shirt and surprise! im wearing a collar. sound good?

[Kindran Ornitier]

 used to be scared of coming out to people. Then I realized, who cares? It's a lifestyle and if they can't accept me for it then that's their problem. I wear a collar everywhere, except home to keep my little sister from asking 24/7. And yeah it doesn't work fr everyone, but when my stepdad found out he laughed and didn't have a problem. Since then I feel it is way easier to talk to people about it. So my advice

1) make sure it's not completely random
2) ask them if they have ever heard of the fandom
3) if the respond negatively then drop it if you want, if positive or unknown explain to them what it is and that you are one.
4) DO NOT let them research furry on YouTube. This tends to make more haters than fans I've seen
5) congrats! One down 4.6 billion to go!

[jakob_furreault]

 used to be scared of coming out to people. Then I realized, who cares? It's a lifestyle and if they can't accept me for it then that's their problem. I wear a collar everywhere, except home to keep my little sister from asking 24/7. And yeah it doesn't work fr everyone, but when my stepdad found out he laughed and didn't have a problem. Since then I feel it is way easier to talk to people about it. So my advice

1) make sure it's not completely random
2) ask them if they have ever heard of the fandom
3) if the respond negatively then drop it if you want, if positive or unknown explain to them what it is and that you are one.
4) DO NOT let them research furry on YouTube. This tends to make more haters than fans I've seen
5) congrats! One down 4.6 billion to go!

or that 1000 ways to die one

[Hopeforbetter]

 Well I have a bit of apprehension about just flat out saying I am even a full blown furry. I have a attraction to the realm of possibilities and a deal of interest in furry art and media. I also think that few people have sat back to think about the very depth of what an anthropomorphic world would be like. For animals to express, think, act, and create just as mankind has. It is a brain buster for sure and to think of everything that would come with a “society” where animals have human personalities and characteristics. The world would have much of the same problems but with a large twist.  Sorry I don’t want to rant… but that’s what I am thinking about and the whole being judge as a “perv”, believe me I got a load of that when I even mentioned my interest. So I can understand the “unwanted reaction” some people may get when trying to explain or “come out” about anything with such a negative stereotype stapled to it. and as for how to come out I would recommend keeping it to my most intimate and understanding friends, the same people I would feel safe talking about sex, politics, and religion with. Where I will not feel hurt, even if they object to it. Does any of this make since? …                       

[HowlTheGrayWolf]

 Well I have a bit of apprehension about just flat out saying I am even a full blown furry. I have a attraction to the realm of possibilities and a deal of interest in furry art and media. I also think that few people have sat back to think about the very depth of what an anthropomorphic world would be like. For animals to express, think, act, and create just as mankind has. It is a brain buster for sure and to think of everything that would come with a “society” where animals have human personalities and characteristics. The world would have much of the same problems but with a large twist.  Sorry I don’t want to rant… but that’s what I am thinking about and the whole being judge as a “perv”, believe me I got a load of that when I even mentioned my interest. So I can understand the “unwanted reaction” some people may get when trying to explain or “come out” about anything with such a negative stereotype stapled to it. and as for how to come out I would recommend keeping it to my most intimate and understanding friends, the same people I would feel safe talking about sex, politics, and religion with. Where I will not feel hurt, even if they object to it. Does any of this make since? …                       

To me, it certainly does make sense. Some people just cannot comprehend a world that is made completely from Anthropomorphic beings, and would rather shun the idea. It's best to only share it was friends that you can trust, or ones that you know are furries but don't know you are one yet. Most of this was stated before hand in your post, but I'm just showing that your post makes sense, at least to me.

[Hopeforbetter]

.. gray wolf 

well I have only told the one person about my interest in furry. my mate and she is very understanding and even took me off guard with her reaction... so her being the the most open minded person in my life I think she going to be the only one to know..   Thanks sorry for ranting. lol   

[HowlTheGrayWolf]

Hehe, trust me, I'm an expert when it comes to ranting, so I'm completely fine with it. I love rants that actually have base and that are logical.

[Alice The Necrofox]

Look up Presenting Furry Fandom to the Public part 1-5, Anthrocon 2009 on youtube

[Rex]

wow i like hex's approach, in my opinion, its better not to tell anyone, in my case its easier, cause nothing has changed since i went furry.... cept that i come here..... just ask Garth...

[Sky Striker]

Honestly I don't think that being a furry is something you need to "come out" about. You shouldn't really make a huge deal out of it. If they ask for some reason, just say yes. If they freak out explain to them what being a furry really is. If you're on the topic of furries and other people start bashing them, argue from the furry point of view. If they ask you why you're defending them say because you're a furry.

[Jad'Thor]

well if you have friends or people like here you can tell them everything, im now completley open about being a furry in every aspect around  school no problem at all, yep theres a luagh or a giggle here or there sometimes. but you get that even if your "normal" so its no different at all really, no need to go prancing about shouting your a furry and you dont care what other people think, because honestly a LOT of people DO care what other people think of them (well not meh in particulary). so when i told people, we where hovering around a subject your not really allowed to talk about on the forums and even THEN im still except as a fur, not hated, not booed or isolated its just exactly the same just is nicer knowing other people exept you as you are

[Buddywolf]

Well....I use to just go around saying "Hey, I am a furry!"   Well, I am ignored a lot vocally cuz I have a hard time saying whats in my mind. I dunno why. So now its more like:

1) You text me and I text you back.
2) you see the siggy in my text messages.
3) You ask what it means and I explain.
4) You ether continue to party with me or you avoid me.
5) No matter how 4 resolves, I go on with my life happy.
6) There is no 6.

That's how it has been working for me lately.