Are cons family-friendly?

[Feathertail]

Hi, all. My "How to avoid a disappointing con experience" question is still near the top, and I'm still a little anxious about attending. A friend just suggested to me that a lot of people go to cons to partake in 'unwholesome activities,' and I'm worried about how this will affect a con experience.

Is it possible to go to a con and not see or have to deal with things that aren't family-friendly? And still actually go to events and talk to people? >.> What are the chances of being unpleasantly surprised?

[ObliviousAlly]

You can avoid 'unfriendly' things in the Dealer's room by avoiding the adult section of the art show, for one. And artist at most cons are REQUIRED to have a separate, censored book or folio for their adult work.

You can avoid adult-themed panels by seeing what they're about in the con book or program. Barring that, you can always ask.

As for the rest of the con at large? You may or may not run into things you don't want to see or hear. There's nothing you can do about this but let it roll off you and enjoy the experience YOU came to the convention for.

Overall, I don't hear a lot of people talking about how they're going to a con strictly to hook up or do 'unpleasant' things. But, quite frankly, it's their choice to go there for those sorts of activities.

[Savaaha]

Depends on which con and where ya go in it. MFM in Memphis in sept is a smaller(about 600 persons) con thats family friendly. Vendors in dealers den are required to censor or keep adult art in closed binders and to keep minors out of it. ID badges are color coded to indicate whos a minor as picture ID must be shown to get a badge.

[Feathertail]

Depends on which con and where ya go in it. MFM in Memphis in sept is a smaller(about 600 persons) con thats family friendly. Vendors in dealers den are required to censor or keep adult art in closed binders and to keep minors out of it. ID badges are color coded to indicate whos a minor as picture ID must be shown to get a badge.

I'm given to understand that East Coast cons are usually better than West Coast cons with this regard ... what does everyone else think? And how have cons changed, over time, with regard to being family-friendly (as in making it so you can avoid certain things if you want)?

[Timberwuff]

At Rainfurrest (Seattle Based), the art dealers did have their "adult" pics all in a binder or whatever and hidden to an extent. The folders were clearly on display and said quite obviously: "Adult, 18+ only!" Yet, having them alone out and about kind disturbing in my opinion. Nothing was shown to the public, but just basically it gave that feeling of being in an adult store.

Then again, I really just turned 18, haven't been in any adult store before, so it may have all been just a bit overwhelming!

Aside from that, there were a few "adult" jokes and references made (nothing too extreme, I thought they were all funny!) at the panels mainly.

Though at the masquarde event (basically skits and whatever) there were 2 acts of a girl essentially "adult" dancing with a chair. Some clothes came off (nothing to reveal any adult parts, but that idea still applied.) That and a another skit that was humors and funny, yet too adult for the general public.

A couple of (presumably parents) brought their young kids though! I mean honestly, it should be designed to be family friendly! Yet many people were clearly offended by those 3 skits (mainly the first 2 I mentioned).

That was also my only con, so that pretty much sums up my experience. I also heard **some** of the hotel parties were very wild and... could lead to dangerous situations. But there were definitely others of ppl generally gathering together to watch a movie and keep it cool!

To be honest, it really sounded like hit-or-miss if you're meeting new people and want to hang out at an after party with them! Just be sure you know what kind of party you're going to! You're definitely not alone on the strive to keep it all clean and family friendly fun!

Besides the few skits at the masquerade, and those really crazy parties I only heard about (my friend I met there told me how he wanted to go to an after party, yet wound up seeing something he didn't want to, but he just left immediately, no harm done. He found another party of ppl watching a movie they retned!)

Aside from those, the whole con was very enjoyable! I loved the games room, all very clean in there, it was clean everywhere I went, except for those few instances. As a suggestion, I found it hard to make friends, since ppl seemed to have stuck to "cliques" really, and they're own personal group, I did end up wandering around a lone a bunch. Just find a place to relax where you're comfortable (like a lounge room, or games room) where ppl come and go, that's really where I made my friends at the end of the con though, so I still ate my breakfast alone. Best breakfast ever though! Felt like heaven.... it was amazing.

I know how you feel, one my very well experienced con goers too was a bit worried for my sake of the ppl who go to cons for those "unwholesome activities", but really, I don't believe that she knew when to say no and walk away, that and she admits she was a "hard-core" party goer herself. So she kinda caused herself to get in those situations. Really, it doesn't happen if you want to stay and keep it clean, as I never ran into anything like that when I was there.

I hope I helped! I really rambled a lot in there.

[Relaxing Dragon]

Further Confusion 2008 had nothing by way of color-coding the ID badges (something which surprised me a bit, since I kept hearing how that was standard practice at cons), and while the vast majority of the artists in the Den kept their adult stuff in a separate, well-marked folder, here and there there were booths that just left it out (and it started to slide everywhere by the end of the con as everyone was getting ready to go).

That said, there really wasn't a lot of adult stuff. I only heard it come up in conversation when people were discussing the adult art in the den, and all the panels that had adult stuff were late hours and well marked. For the most part, it was the same as what Lawrence described; random acts here and there, but family stuff all around (and a bundle of little kids were around for that matter). Room parties can get out of hand (like I would know ), so if you're interested in those just do what he said, and know who's going to be there and what could happen.

As far as I can tell, at a con if you don't want any adult stuff, then it's very easy to avoid. You should be just fine

[Narei Mooncatt]

I've been to quite a few cons and so far about the only way to get involved with some of the more risque activities and parties is to be looking for them, and even then you may not find them unless you know someone "on the inside".  I've yet to even hear about something going on that would worry a parent until after the con in all the con reports about what people did (which may or may not be true, of course). It's known that there are usually some wilder room parties, but those are not part of the con itself, and held privately. Chances are you won't even know about one unless you're next door to it. Usually the hotels have a "party floor" and/or a quiet floor to keep parties from interfering with too many people next to them.

Inside the con, it's like most people have said. Adult art is usually censored and the panels are kept family friendly for the most part. At some cons, they relax the rules a bit at night when minors would be less likely to be out and about. A panel may be more adult, maybe hear some dirty jokes at a performance, but still nothing too serious. And if it's an event meant to be adult (like "strange things found on the internet"), they don't allow minors in and it's still nothing to get too worked up about.

It also depends on the con and the people at the panel as to how they follow the rules. At AC I was in one of the pawpet performances and there weren't any minors in there and they were a bit crude sometimes. But when a minor came in (with a parent I blieve too), the actors cut out the adult stuff. At Oklacon (a camping convention), there's rarely a minor around. I think there were only a few there at best and is a more mature minded membership in general. So decency rules weren't kept very strict in terms of censorship of adut art and colorful language around the campfire. Now if a minor did come around, things still straightened up, and there never was anything public that would be considered a turn off to someone looking for a family friendly con.

[Rick Woods]

At Anthrocon, the only thing I experienced that was remotely not family friendly was a couple of 2's jokes during his stand-up show.

[TCD]

I think it, like a LOT of other things, falls into the category of "If you look for it, you will find it." I mean, the stuff that isn't already common. Things such as wild room parties, not swear words and adult jokes that you're gonna get, even outside of a furry con. If it's those kinds of things you're worried about, you may want to reconsider going to a con, to be honest. The furry demographic is overwhelmingly young and male--and their language tends towards being a little more off-color. Pornography is also a part of the demographic, and so yes, it's around. Marked and unavailable to minors and those who do not wish to see, but around.

But no, people are, or at least they seem to be, not going to be coming up to you (a complete stranger) and asking if you would like to join an orgy if you are obviously not interested in such.

[Kwan]

Y'know, I've heard stories that'll blow your hair back.  Cons full of public lechery drunkenness, the con-goers groping & propositioning each other as well as other hotel guests.  It seems that dentists are a wild bunch. 

And I'm not even making this up for a gag--one of my friend's step-fathers distributed dental supplies, & she used to be dragged along to dentist conventions to help with the presentations & business table.  For a while I thought she was pulling my leg, until my own dentist confirmed it.  One summer I worked at a hotel, and while we didn't have any conventions, we did have several rock & country stars stay--and their fans were utter savages.  Various hotel employees have told me similar horror stories about various other, mundane conventions & seminars.

The roundabout point I'm making (that others before me already have): compared to other cons, furry cons are really rather tame. 

We tend to self-censor, and look out for the hotel property & the mundanes.  There are always going to be some rowdies in any con, but furry con security tends to be a little more vigilant than in other cons I've attended.  It's ridiculously easy to remove yourself from any behavior that makes you uncomfortable.  Really, a good way to avoid a disappointing con experience is to concentrate on the things you WANT to see & do, rather than hunting for things that will displease you.

Are adult items & art at furry cons?  Certainly. 
If there isn't an 'adults only' section, the salacious stuff is covered  (if you want to see uncensored naughty bits, you'll have to ask).

Are there naughty-themed panels, variety shows, movie rooms?  Usually. 
But here's the neat thing about cons:  These things are always identified in the con-book/program guide -- if you don't want to see them, you don't have to.

Do adult things happen at furry cons?  I'd be surprised if they didn't. 
But, as others have said--you have to go looking for it.
You WILL see public scritching, & public pouncing, and happy people hugging friends & fursuits.
I think we have the dentists beat in those categories. 

Do people go to cons just for the unwholesome activites?  Some do. 
And most likely go home disappointed that they didn't get anywhere near the amount of unwholesome as they expected or wanted.  If  all the internet rumors & greatly exaggerated LJ bragging were true, furry cons would be more like those Dental conventions my friend told me about...or worse yet, the Shriners.   

[RedneckFur]

Alot of it really depends on your family, and your own set of moral values.  If you're offended by same sex couples holding hands or showing ocasional affection for each other, then a furry convention probably isn't for you.  Conventions arent much different than what you find in the forums, really, only instead of posters, they're people.

There are groups of people at cons I like to call the "social rejects".  These are the people that simply have no idea how to conduct themselves in public, have no sense of shame or pride, and in general, are an embarasment to the human race as a whole. (think of the guys who never get a job, and spend all their lives living in their parents basement and only see the light of day when they leave home to attend their convention of choice. Many do not bathe regularly)  But they're not unique to the furry fandom. You'll find them in any fandom, and likely at any con.  I go to gun shows requently, and I see my share of rejects there too.  Best thing to do is ignore them.

Is a furry con family freindly or not?  Best way to find out is to attend one! 

[Far_Raptor]

Well, Kwan did a great job of putting an answer to your question, Tachyon.

My simple answer to your question: "Can cons be family friendly?" is: Absolutely, yes.

Generally (though not always) speaking, you have to look for the seedy stuff in order to really find it.  The "big" room parties (things like the "real" Dead Dog Parties, for example) are usually surefire places to find that kind of thing.  They can be a blast, though...I love going to them to meet and greet people (I just ignore the stuff I'm not interested in).  There are often themed get-togethers that happen between groups, too.  Things like a 'spandex party' or a 'plushie party' or the "Cubhouse"...the undertones of these parties are really quite obvious.  Unless you're into the theme, I wouldn't suggest attending.   

Honestly, though: this stuff is not really hard to avoid.  Simply put: if you see something going on that makes you uncomfortable, just leave and go somewhere else.

There are often plenty of parties going on...most of which are just folks hanging out and socializing.  Good times!

Anyway, the summary is: don't fear attending a con for it's 'adult' nature.  The stuff exists, but it is by no-means pushed on you.

Above all, have a blast!  Cons are great times. 

I hope to see you at one,

~FaR~     

[Acton]

Yes  I am a Christian so I do have a low tolerance of adult stuff. I have not seen any at Rainfurrest except the masquerade show, I thought the dancer was too risque for me but Rainfurrest is going to correct thing next year by keeping more risque part to a separate segment. I never had any problems keeping way form it. I think Anime con do a better job in keeping adult panels  late and strict entry requirements, the check badges and keep 18 year old and under out.

As for real family friendly fare, the Furs for Christ will be running the cub events at Athrocon  again, this NOT a baby fur event  but events and activities for parents and their children.

[Mouselion]

As established earlier there's a barrier to minors with the X-rated stuff and the con events are all G-rated. I see people taking their kids there all the time.

[Rick Woods]

I see people taking their kids there all the time.

This reminds me (and I can't believe I didn't mention this) -- I definitely saw a four-year-old with ears and a tail at AC08 with her parents.

[Narei Mooncatt]

I see people taking their kids there all the time.

This reminds me (and I can't believe I didn't mention this) -- I definitely saw a four-year-old with ears and a tail at AC08 with her parents.

MFM '07, though the stuff outside of the hotel (and out of the con's control) wasn't so family friendly. 

[Fangz]

I only been too one convention so far as for adult stuff, from storries I expected too se alot more "wierd" stuff than I did there. But Mainly I think what ppl find offending or not family friendly varry extremly, like me I am old now 20 and not the religious type or anything else wierd. I would think I gota a tiny bit higher tolerance on some things than some others.

worst things I managed too see was ppl in littles clothes or lots bondadge like things on them and/or followed by someone else that got em on a dog leash... that was abit on the edge but oh well aslong as they behave. other than that ofc there is adult furry art and stuff if ya go too see it but can be avoided if ya want. And I walked by a room where fursuits with harnesses and stuff was cuddling with ppl on the floor and sofa kidna cute

other than that 2gryphons show was with some lanugage and jokes some ppl may whine about but was horribly funny ^^ beer and drinks seemed too be used responsibly enough didn't se anythign bad with that part.

So well if youre horribly picky about it and wannan keep families 100% ignorant of the real world and small funny jokes, then from my experience I think furry convention should be avoided but for average ppl. Ya can avoid anything Adult if ya want without much trubble as public ares are keep free of it and ya chose self what ya wanna go see or do.


I spreken eglish!

[promagnum]

Unless you see Koinu-Kun, then everything should be fine. (have you seen his youtube videos?)

[Pensive]

Unless you see Koinu-Kun, then everything should be fine. (have you seen his youtube videos?)

He's actually some-what tame, compared to what I've seen. =P
I actually quite like him.
But...I've seen some suiters wearing bondagy-looking gear at cons, over their fursuits.
To me, that's going a bit far. =/ After all, there /are/ kids there. -shrugs-

[promagnum]

I don't know him personally but he seems nice.

[Kwan]

But...I've seen some suiters wearing bondagy-looking gear at cons, over their fursuits.
To me, that's going a bit far. =/ After all, there /are/ kids there. -shrugs-

Try not to decide too quickly that it's bondage gear.  There was one fursuiter who was commonly thought to be wearing a bondage harness, but it wasn't, per se.  He was a husky-- he was wearing the closest thing to a sled-dog's harness that he could find that would also fit & make sense on a human frame.

Having said that, some of the gear I've seen worn (and this isn't limited to furry cons by a long shot) is very obviously bondage-related.  In my experience, furry cons tend to police those better than other cons; someone may make an appearance in such outfits, but if it's over the top furry security/staff usually politely asks the wearer to either make appropriate adjustments or stay out of public sight.

[Dragore]

wow that is amazing they are that diligent in making sure that the con goers respect the innocence of the children. now that is what i call security.

[Kohitsu Mori]

I've never been to a furconvention and I am also worried about the 'adult-stuff' because my father will be coming with me and my friends. I have narrowed down my choices for my first con to Furry Connection North 09' or Morphicon 09' (they are closest to where I live). Has anyone here been to either convention, and know what kind of events they have, and if they are very family-oriented cons?

[Arbutus]

Honestly, I've never been to Morphicon, but I've heard some complaints about how they used to have adult-themed panels listed right on the main schedule and such. I don't know if I'm right about that, so you might want to wait for someone who's been there to chime in.

[ThrasherCub]

Judging from the number of families I saw at Further Confusion I'd be shocked to hear that it's not a family-friendly environment.

As for the statement that wearing bondage is taking it a bit far, do you really think it would affect kids?  Cuffs don't look significantly different from small bracers, dogs wear harnesses, most pets wear collars, and you attach a leash when you're going to walk said pet.  I genuinely doubt a child is going to look at furries playing with a leash and think "look, adult-oriented submission play!"  I figure they'd come to one of the same conclusions I always consider which is, "Hey, look!  The dog is walking his puppy!  CUTE!"