There is no one single definition of what a furry is. Even within the furry 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.
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.
The way I see it, if or if you don’t consider yourself a furry is a matter of personal opinion.
As with any hobby, most furries are normal people just like anyone you'll meet at work/school or going to/from work/school or anywhere. Then there is the small percent that are hard core fans and have taken what for most is a hobby and perverted it (sometimes in an all to literal sense).
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
The way I see it, if or if you don’t consider yourself a furry is a matter of personal opinion.
As with any hobby, most furries are normal people just like anyone you'll meet at work/school or going to/from work/school or anywhere. Then there is the small percent that are hard core fans and have taken what for most is a hobby and perverted it (sometimes in an all to literal sense).
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 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.
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.
If only the silent majority were not so silent, people would realise there is more to furries then perversion.
by Annoymous January 16, 2005
1. adjective.: having or coated in fur.
2. adjective.: being related to the 'furry' community, such as artwork, stories.
3. mistake.: A misspelling of fury =P
4. noun.:
a. One who shows interest in things that can be described with the 'furry' adjective.
b. One who prefers to imagine themself as more animalistic than they are.
Other related definitions:
stereotype-furry:
Derogatory generalization of how many 'furry-haters' see the noun form of 'furries' as, usually portrayed as pitiful homosexual men who dress up as the animal they like or 'want to fuck' the most, and have sex with their animals. This is in fact not what 99% of 'furries' are like, however, being the most widely publicized, it is also the most widely criticized.
furry-hater:
One who takes it upon themselves to be prejudice against the noun form of 'furries', usually assuming that all 'furries' are 'stereotypical furries', needlessly persuing some sort of apparent need to let everyone know that they hate 'furries'
99% of all furries:
Some draw, some write, some read, some listen to stories, most keep to themselves because of 'furry-haters'
Just like everyone else, some are male, some are female, and just like everyone else, some are gay, some are straight, and just like everyone else, most go to school or have a job.
2. adjective.: being related to the 'furry' community, such as artwork, stories.
3. mistake.: A misspelling of fury =P
4. noun.:
a. One who shows interest in things that can be described with the 'furry' adjective.
b. One who prefers to imagine themself as more animalistic than they are.
Other related definitions:
stereotype-furry:
Derogatory generalization of how many 'furry-haters' see the noun form of 'furries' as, usually portrayed as pitiful homosexual men who dress up as the animal they like or 'want to fuck' the most, and have sex with their animals. This is in fact not what 99% of 'furries' are like, however, being the most widely publicized, it is also the most widely criticized.
furry-hater:
One who takes it upon themselves to be prejudice against the noun form of 'furries', usually assuming that all 'furries' are 'stereotypical furries', needlessly persuing some sort of apparent need to let everyone know that they hate 'furries'
99% of all furries:
Some draw, some write, some read, some listen to stories, most keep to themselves because of 'furry-haters'
Just like everyone else, some are male, some are female, and just like everyone else, some are gay, some are straight, and just like everyone else, most go to school or have a job.
Personally I consider myself a furry, I have an online persona of myself with ears and a fox tail, I am male, I'm straight, I don't draw a lot of furry art because I'm not that good at it, I don't write stories for the same reason. I do read other peoples' stories and look at their art, I have no sexual interest in actual animals (see zoophiles and bestiality folks)
I go to college, and have a job, I'm not fat either.
I'm just a furry
*wags his tail happily*
And any furry-hater who doesn't like me because of it, too bad, it's who I am.
I go to college, and have a job, I'm not fat either.
I'm just a furry
*wags his tail happily*
And any furry-hater who doesn't like me because of it, too bad, it's who I am.
by Liero December 19, 2004
n., adj. In the broadest definition, someone who finds the idea of anthropomorphic (humanlike) animals, in art, fiction, cartoons, costume, or other media, to be an appealing one. Furries are an extremely diverse group and no one furry may possess all, or any, of the traits typically associated with the group; furries can range from people who are fans of old Warner Bros. and Disney cartoons; people who enjoy portraying anthropomorphic animals in art; people who enjoy imagining what a future, past or alternative world might be like if humans were replaced with or accompanied by anthropomorphic animals; and people who like wearing costume tails, ears and/or animal mascot costumes, to those who feel spiritual connections to animals or to the animal form; those who admire the beauty, power, speed or grace of of the animal form; those who believe they have empathy with or can communicate with animals, for example people who work with them; people who have a great deal of respect for animal welfare; and people who find the concept of anthropomorphic animals enjoyable in a sexual way. (Amongst many, many other things.)
Those who do enjoy the erotic/adult side of furry are, like those who participate in any other sexual fetish or behaviour, almost always harmless in their indulgence of their fantasies, which usually involves erotic art and roleplay, and may involve consenting activities with fellow adults while in costume. Why people get uptight about what is such a cute, silly and affectionate expression of pleasure between two (or more) consenting adults when there's much worse out there to get worked up about such as child abuse, I'll never understand.
It's about fun, people. Try it sometime.
Those who do enjoy the erotic/adult side of furry are, like those who participate in any other sexual fetish or behaviour, almost always harmless in their indulgence of their fantasies, which usually involves erotic art and roleplay, and may involve consenting activities with fellow adults while in costume. Why people get uptight about what is such a cute, silly and affectionate expression of pleasure between two (or more) consenting adults when there's much worse out there to get worked up about such as child abuse, I'll never understand.
It's about fun, people. Try it sometime.
by Spritedust May 15, 2004
Simply - One who has an interest (small or large) of anthropomorphic animals (animals who have a human qualities be it simply talking or having a human-like body).
One who has an interest in anthropomorphic animals. Does not mean wanting to have sex with them.
One who has an interest in anthropomorphic animals. Does not mean wanting to have sex with them.
by Master_stghm June 24, 2005
Furry fandom is a category (or sub-genre) of fantasy dedicated to anthropomorphics: fictional animal characters given human personalities and characteristics. It originated as a fusion of science fiction, comic book, and animation fandom during the 1980s. It has thrived and grown, evolving into its own branch of fandom and finding adherents all over the world – enough that they may be regarded as forming a subculture. Furry fandom has a large presence on the Internet, and many furry conventions in North America and Europe are held every year, the largest being Anthrocon in Philadelphia in July with an attendance of nearly 2500. Further Confusion, held in San Jose, California each January, is almost as large. In 2004, 19 such conventions took place around the world. The original furry convention was the now-defunct Confurence, based in southern California.
Furry fans, sometimes referred to as furries or furs for short, are eager for more material than is available from mainstream publishers. The demand is filled by fellow fans – amateur to professional artists, writers, and publishers who produce drawings, paintings, stories, independent comic books, fanzines, Web sites and even small press books. Fans with craft skills put together their own stuffed plush furry toys, sometimes referred to as plushies, or build elaborate furry costumes called fursuits (with features such as ears, fur, long tails, moving jaws, and even animatronics) and dress up in them for fun, or to participate in convention masquerades, dances or fund raising charity events. Charitable works are a tradition in furry fandom; many conventions feature an auction or fundraising event with the proceeds often going to an animal-related charity. Over the past 5 years, furries have raised over $90,000 for animal rescue organizations and animal therapy groups.
Some furry fans create furry personas (imaginary characters based on their own personalities) by which they become widely known in the fandom. A yearning to explore self-identity is common among these fans. They may write stories centered on their characters, build or commission fursuits so they can "come to life" as their character, commission artwork, or engage in role-playing sessions on one of the many furry-themed MUDs on the Internet, the oldest of which is FurryMUCK. When such furry fans meet one another in person, they may be more familiar with one another's online personas than with their real identities.
Furry fans, sometimes referred to as furries or furs for short, are eager for more material than is available from mainstream publishers. The demand is filled by fellow fans – amateur to professional artists, writers, and publishers who produce drawings, paintings, stories, independent comic books, fanzines, Web sites and even small press books. Fans with craft skills put together their own stuffed plush furry toys, sometimes referred to as plushies, or build elaborate furry costumes called fursuits (with features such as ears, fur, long tails, moving jaws, and even animatronics) and dress up in them for fun, or to participate in convention masquerades, dances or fund raising charity events. Charitable works are a tradition in furry fandom; many conventions feature an auction or fundraising event with the proceeds often going to an animal-related charity. Over the past 5 years, furries have raised over $90,000 for animal rescue organizations and animal therapy groups.
Some furry fans create furry personas (imaginary characters based on their own personalities) by which they become widely known in the fandom. A yearning to explore self-identity is common among these fans. They may write stories centered on their characters, build or commission fursuits so they can "come to life" as their character, commission artwork, or engage in role-playing sessions on one of the many furry-themed MUDs on the Internet, the oldest of which is FurryMUCK. When such furry fans meet one another in person, they may be more familiar with one another's online personas than with their real identities.
Many artists and writers draw furry characters.
I got to meet furry fans at a convention in Chicago.
I got to meet furry fans at a convention in Chicago.
by Awesome Like A 'Possum November 30, 2004