Okay so some, if not a lot of, you have known about this for a while so this really shouldn't come as much of a surprise to you. Either way I've done a fair amount of research on this and although I did copy the following it basically sums up what I've wanted to say for a long, long time.
First of all there is no one single definition of what I'm about to talk about is. Even within the fandom, people cannot always agree on just what makes a person a furry or not...
Some would argue that to be a furry, you must think and talk like one (i.e. use furry specific words and phrases). Even if you go to conventions, wear a fursuit, draw the art, writes the stories etc but don't talk using furry lingo, you're not a furry. Basically, someone that may walk the walk but doesn’t talk the talk. I personally don't agree with this definition.
Others would argue that even liking anthropomorphic creatures makes you a furry. You may have no idea the furry fandom exists or have ever heard of a furry convention, let alone any of the websites; simply liking 'anthro' critters makes you a furry. An example of an "anthro critter" as some people refer to them as is the kind of pictures I've been setting as profile pictures and wallpapers.
In my opinion, if or if you don’t consider yourself a furry is a matter of how the individual considers him/herself.
As with any hobby, most furries act like normal people just like anyone you'll meet at work/school or going to/from work/school or anywhere actually. Then there's that small percent that every group of fans, no matter what they are a fan of, that have taken what for most is a hobby and perverted it (sometimes in an all to literal sense, which is often the media's focusing point when it comes to the furry fandom).
As is with so many other things in life, the few that take it too far tend to be the loudest. The silent majority are often forced into silence by the loud majority for fear that people will label them as being in the same class as the minority that have perverted it.
One unfortunate side effect of the internet and the relative anonymity that some sites grant their users is people are able to engage in activities (even if only on a virtual level) that they would never even consider doing in real life. An example of this is trolls (no not the kind from fairy tales, the kind that have a tendency to piss as many people off as humanely as possible) of message boards that say things to people they’d never say to them in person. I think a lot of the stereotypes associated with furries are because of this and the media.
In conclusion, as with any hobby, there are some furries that have taken it too far and/or perverted what for many is a fun harmless hobby. Thus in the process given the fandom a "bad name" so to speak.
I am a part of said fandom so if you have any questions about it then ask. If you choose to disown me then fine, however if you choose to accept my life's choice then it shall only make the friendship I have with you stronger.
This is basically what I've got planed to say and I need advice on how I should tell them about it. Or how I could improve it.
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Topic: Advice: Telling others about being furry (Read 99582 times)