The 250,000 Americans who call themselves furries often think they’re misunderstood.
The Furry fandom, made up of people who express an interest in animals with human qualities, began in the 1980s – its members have since been fueled by a love of anthropomorphic animals as featured in Disney films and video games.
Since then, the community has boomed, but as interest from outsiders grows, furries often make headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Just this week, the community came under the spotlight after a member attacked a man filming a group in Huntington Beach.
And several furries have spoken out about the common misconceptions engulfing fandom — particularly regarding it being branded as just a fetish.
The 250,000 Americans who call themselves furries often think they’re misunderstood
The Furry fandom, made up of people who express an interest in animals with human qualities, began in the 1980s – its members have since been fueled by a love of anthropomorphic animals as featured in Disney films and video games
Attendance at Anthrocon, the largest furry convention in the US, hit a record high earlier this year with 13,644 attendees
The furry community — in which 84 percent identify as male, 13 percent as female, and 2.5 percent as transgender — has often been unhappy with its representation in popular culture, including on shows like CSI: Fur And Loathing In Las Vegas and 1,000 ways to die.
And in a recent documentary released by Real Stories earlier this month, members of the community laid bare their reality while trying to clear the misconceptions that have long plagued fandom.
One furry who goes by the name of Bandit first gave a glimpse of how he got started: “My fur-sona is essentially to commemorate my dog.” He was feisty, funny, and affectionate, and I think whenever I wear Bandit , I’m a little he.
“I could say it’s the opposite of my life because I’m a pretty chilled guy without a suit — and when I put on a suit I’m having ‘party fun’.”
Elaborating on the idea that the community is fueled by fetishism, he said, “It pisses me off when I see people saying, ‘Oh, all you do is get dressed in these suits and go celebrate and move on and have sex in those suits’.”
“If you’ve ever had intense nude sex, you know how much you sweat. Can you imagine doing that in a full fur suit?” You would die. It can quickly get hotter than 100 degrees in the head. So no, it’s a false statement to even think that’s all it does.”
But he conceded, “Yeah, there’s sex that happens in fandom — I remember when I was in my 20s — but the Fur Sona fandom thing is about helping other people, being them.” To put a smile on your face and make you forget about the real world and all its problems.’
And that opinion has been vehemently shared by others in recent years as interest has continued to grow.
A furry, who calls himself Bandit, first gave a glimpse of his beginnings: “My fur-sona is essentially to commemorate my dog. He was feisty, funny and loving and I guess whenever I wear Bandit I’m a little er.
Elaborating on the idea that the community is fueled by fetishism, Bandit said, “It pisses me off when I see people saying, ‘Oh, all you do is get dressed in these suits and go party and move on and have sex in those suits’”
Attendance at Anthrocon, the largest furry convention in the US, hit a record high earlier this year with 13,644 attendees.
Anthrocon CEO Samuel Conway, who is himself a furry by the name of Uncle Kage, had long tried to protect the reputation of community members – and to protect the furries from reputational damage.
The documentary featured clips of how he stubbornly persuaded fellow furries to tread carefully when speaking to the media – telling them to “deviate” and “not speak as individuals”.
He also expressed his outrage at furries who have publicly shared the subculture’s sexual elements.
For example, furry girl Chew Fox and her sidekick Tom Cat, from near Seattle, Washington, had previously appeared on The Tyra Banks Show to discuss sex in fur suits.
Just hours after it aired, the couple was bombarded with online insults from other members of the community, who claimed they had “shamed the entire fandom for their personal gain”.
And shortly thereafter, Conway himself branded Chew Fox a “little damn bitch.”
But there is no doubt that there is a sexual element to the fandom.
In the furry community, 84 percent identify as male, 13 percent as female, and 2.5 percent as trans
Furries can range from those who use it as a “weekend release” to others who see it as a lifestyle and “think in that mode”.
The documentary reached out to an employee of Bad Dragon – an American manufacturer of fantasy-themed sex toys aimed primarily at members of the furry fandom.
The worker, who goes by Varka and describes himself as a blacksmith, revealed a whole range of products that the company offers to meet the needs of the community.
And a further look at the company’s website reveals that items are available for most anthropomorphic desires, including shapes depicting rabbits, werewolves and dragons.
But members were always quick to point out that, like any community, there are “extremes” at both ends of the scale – and that not everyone has the same attitude and experience.
Furries can range from those who use it as a “weekend release” to others who see it as a lifestyle and “think in that mode”.
But since fur suits range in price from $3,000 to $7,000, becoming a furry is not for the faint of heart.
The video leak followed another furry’s attempt to legally change his name to his own.
Boomer The Dog, who wears a collar every day, said her fursona was inspired by the TV show Here’s Boomer, which ran from 1980-1982.
The furry community has often been unhappy with her portrayal in popular culture, including on shows like CSI: Fur And Loathing In Las Vegas (pictured) and 1,000 Ways To Die
Boomer The Dog, who wears a collar daily, said her fur sona was inspired by the TV show Here’s Boomer, which ran from 1980-1982
Unfortunately, Boomer’s (left) request for a legal name change was denied — not before Anthrocon’s CEO, Samuel Conway (right), expressed dissatisfaction with their silence
The Furry, who also previously worked with Dr. Phil appeared, said when the series ended they were keen to “keep the spirit alive,” and now explains, “I like to think like I’m a dog and I look.” world and see things that way.’
Unfortunately, their request for a legal name change was denied — but not before Conway also expressed dissatisfaction with Boomer’s vocalizations.
And to discredit them, he branded Boomers “provably insane” and “crazy.”
Given what appeared to be widespread infighting, a documentary contributor named Quad concluded, “A lot of other communities don’t really have the same issues as the furry community.”
“But I feel like a lot of the problems that the furry community is having are of their own making — mostly trying to paint themselves in a good light, although that’s not necessarily the case.”
He continued, “I’m not saying things are bad or wrong in the furry community, but they’re certainly not being portrayed for real.” It’s exactly what they want you to see….
“If you just let things be, maybe it would be a nicer place and people could actually accept furries for who they are.”