New to this site, and really wondering what a furry is.

[FriendlyWanderer]

Hey, I'm new to this site (obviously) and I'm very new to all of this, I don't even know what a furry is, I'm curious on this movement, and it's goals and objectives, whatever they are, and I'm hoping you guys can tell me all about it.  Thanks.

[Vee Katame: His Wolfy]

Welcome to the FF!
Hope you enjoy it here.

I really wouldn't call being Furry a "movement"...it's just what someone is.
My definition of a Furry would be someone who has an interest in anthropomorphic (anthro) art, RPing as an animal, and/or animals in general. (Anthropomorphic is when there are human-like characteristics applied to an animal like walking on two legs, talking, etc.) Basically, the only goal we Furries have is to be accepted and for others to understand us since a lot of people think that all Furries are just interesting in yiffing all the time, which isn't true, what a Furry likes depends on who the Furry is.
There are several definitions of what a Furry is, it just depends on who you actually ask. You'll most likely get some other definitions of what a Furry is from other members, but I hope I've helped you understand at least a little bit more.

[WingedZephyr]

I really wouldn't call being Furry a "movement"...it's just what someone is.
My definition of a Furry would be someone who has an interest in anthropomorphic (anthro) art, RPing as an animal, and/or animals in general. (Anthropomorphic is when there are human-like characteristics applied to an animal like walking on two legs, talking, etc.) Basically, the only goal we Furries have is to be accepted and for others to understand us since a lot of people think that all Furries are just interesting in yiffing all the time, which isn't true, what a Furry likes depends on who the Furry is.
There are several definitions of what a Furry is, it just depends on who you actually ask. You'll most likely get some other definitions of what a Furry is from other members, but I hope I've helped you understand at least a little bit more.

^ What she said.

Welcome to FF.

[FriendlyWanderer]

Well, thanks for the welcomes.  I admit, I first heard of furries from the satire site Encyclopedia Dramatica (if you don't know what it is, I guess the best way to describe it is if Cracked wrote Wikipedia), and my first dealings with furries was with strange comics.  Hope to talk more soon.

[Wolfgang]

Encyclopedia dramatica is a bad site, don't listen to the people on their, I have an article on it but I don't want to talk about it. Anyways Welcome to the FFs and read the rules and have a great time./

[FriendlyWanderer]

Well, I don't understand.  You wrote an article on there but the site is not a good site?  Or maybe I'm just misunderstanding.

I assume it's just a satire site, so I don't think anything is serious on there.

My only other experience with furry stuff was with a newspaper-esque style comic that actually gave me nightmares.  These experiences are what drove me here, just so I could get it straight.  I'm glad you guys are more friendly than I imagined.

[White Wolf Guardian]

Oh the media always gives bad news about whatever they find "abnormal" to the populous, don't listen to them about furries. Furries are some of the nicest people I know and they are fun to be around, don't let 3rd party sources tell you otherwise. But anyways, welcome to FF *Presents some of the finest Tiramisu in stock*, have a great time here. Meet some new people and make new friends

[FriendlyWanderer]

Well, that I will do

But what is the general media perception, if I may ask?

[White Wolf Guardian]

Well that differs, but in my opinion I would say the media is generally negative towards anything that's less mainstream.

[FriendlyWanderer]

so like furries are evil they say or something like that?

[Vosur Aekira]

Eh... sorta. A lot of the mental images given by the mainstream deals more in a sexual nature, ranging from bestiality to always-hormonally-driven activities. Not everyone who call themselves "furry" are like that, most are everyday individuals you meet out there, just that you may not know if they are "furry" or not.

[FriendlyWanderer]

I do know Encyclopedia Dramatica jokingly says all furries are gay.  Do you mean like that?

[Vosur Aekira]

That is but one of the many rumors.

[FriendlyWanderer]

I know it was a joke, but I was asking if other media sources mean things like that seriously?

[Vosur Aekira]

All the time.