We should do something!

[PAWesome]

OK. The main stereotype of furries is that they are creepy, weird and like to do gross things to animals. We should tell people that furries don't do those things. That is the main reason that furries are hated on. And I hate to admit this, but before I became a furry I thought that furries had those characteristics. So....yeah, I had to get that rant off my chest. 

[Vine Tabris]

Nope, not gonna change.
I don't really understand why people feel the need to be widely accepted as a furry anyway.
The way I see it, it's not a genetic or birth disorder, it's an interest or hobby, so I don't feel the need to be accepted for it since lots of people have different interests, and we don't have to all like or agree on the same thing to get along.
I don't even feel the need to tell people unless I know that they're into it or ask about it.
I mean, sure, if someone wants to know about it I'd set them straight, but otherwise I don't see the reason to bring it up.
That's just me, I don't get it.

[Vee Katame: His Wolfy]

Unfortunately, some furries DO do those things.
What they need to be told is that it's a very, very, very small percentage of furries.

But...people like to listen to stereotypes instead of figuring out the truth.

[Rasui]

It would be nice to get at least some info out the to those that, think other of us.
But i more less agree with Vee and vine.
We do not need those out side this interest to accept us, as every one here is family to each other in some way or form.
I'm still knew all to this as well, but have seen and heard the stories as people do not like this hobby. It's Sadding really.
But again its on interest and beliefs.
And even if we did start to do something as Vee mention there are those that do do that. and even if we can right some of
those to accept us there are some who will not change no matter what. And unfortunately that is an large number to our own.

[Luke White-Heart]

Unfortunatly, it even applies to people who've heard the truth. I've explained it numerous times, yet they still adhere to thier preconceptions.

[Rasui]

Yeah. 

[MrRazot]

would you not think their greatest perception of us comes from going to Google images and searching "furry" with safe search off?
i can imagine they would find some of it quite repulsive and lead on to being very judgmental of us on terms of what they see.


also you first learn about something from other people who often give the stereotypes first.
its a comedy fact that if you want to make fun of something (or at least get a general idea of something) you pull out the stereotypes.


yea, nothing is going to change any time soon. there will always be someone that hates you no matter what.


haters gonna hate, skaters gonna skate, and potatoes gonna potate

[MiltoniusPrime]

Don't take it so personally.  In any large chunk of a population, you're going to have all sorts of undesirables.  Rapists, murderers, pedophiles.  A small percentage of people in your city being criminals doesn't mean you should worry people think the same about you.  Most negative stereotypes about furries can apply to "normal" people as well, but most of them don't wear ears and tails to advertise an interest.

One of the reasons the furry fandom gets this kind of possibly-negative attention is because of how accepting it is of peoples' differences.  Nobody wants to feel like a hypocrite for putting down what others enjoy, because most people have some strange interest they'd rather not be criticized for.  The two sides exist mostly parallel to each other -- the ones who insist the fandom can be seen in a family-friendly light, and the ones who are perfectly happy to have sex oozing from every pore.

tl;dr Don't worry so much about it.  You shouldn't feel personally ashamed of what they say unless you actually do those things, and feel guilty.

[anoni]

The only thing you can really do is evaluate furries aren't weird and creepy is to show people YOU are not weird or creepy.

[PAWesome]

   OK then.

[Dirtcopter77]

It's just a case of rule #32 really. Every community has a percentage that feel a different sort of connection to it, some communities just have larger percentages than others. Just be polite and kind and people will like you regardless of your interests.

[MrRazot]

best thing to do is just grin and bear it. no?

[PAWesome]

OK...no one else really needs to comment on this anymore since people told me.

[Daemon]

OK. The main stereotype of furries is that they are creepy, weird and like to do gross things to animals. We should tell people that furries don't do those things. That is the main reason that furries are hated on. And I hate to admit this, but before I became a furry I thought that furries had those characteristics. So....yeah, I had to get that rant off my chest. 

AHAHAHAHAHA oh, wow. We've tried to do this, and I have given up. let people think what they want, you can't argue with stupidity.

[Luke White-Heart]

So sadly true.