What is a furry?

[WingedZephyr]

Although most people who find their way onto this site are already familiar with the furry fandom, many times someone new or unsure about it comes along with some questions about who we are and what we do. So hopefully this will answer some of your questions.


What is a furry?

At its most basic definition, a furry is someone who is a fan of anthropomorphic art/characters. (Anthropomorphic = human qualities given to something not human; most commonly animals in this case.) It is a fandom, just as Trekkies or cosplayers are all part of a fandom. Many people may expand on that definition as a personal choice, depending on what they like to do within the fandom, but this definition is pretty much the one thing that applies to furries as a whole. So, based on this definition - a person becomes a furry simply by having this interest in anthropomorphic characters. From there, you can make it whatever you want it to be.


What is a fursona?

A fursona is an original character a person creates, usually as an anthropomorphic representation of themselves. The word comes from combining the words "furry" and "persona." Most people create their fursonas by picking an animal they like or relate to, and adding personality traits onto the character to make it feel more like "their own." It's also common for furries to draw their fursona, or have someone else draw it for them, so that they can show their fursona to others - but it is not a requirement, by any means.


Do all furries wear fursuits (animal costumes)?

Nope. Although there are a number of furries who do, fursuits are expensive to make/buy, and not all furries even like them. It varies from person to person. Having a fursuit or not doesn't make you any more or less of a furry.


Are fursuits a sexual thing?

No, they aren't. Some furries do choose to use them for that purpose, but most people just enjoy dressing up and walking around town or at conventions.


What do furries do?

Socialize, mostly. Have fun with people who share your interests. That can vary among a multitude of things; going to conventions, creating art, looking at art, fursuiting, chatting, and finding friends. ^^


So am I a furry? How do I become one?

You're a furry if you want to be. If you like anthropomorphic characters and want to be a furry, then congratulations, you're a furry!



For more information, you may find these links useful:
http://en.wikifur.com/wiki/Furry
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Furry_fandom

And if you can take the time to watch it, this is a very thorough and well-made documentary about furries, explaining what we do and why:
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdaOPW_kdXA&feature=relmfu
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSaJ9lSlarY&feature=relmfu
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9wWYD1vuWw&feature=relmfu