Furry Fandom Or Just Socializing?

[Acton]

I am having a fall out with a local furry group. I guess my expectations of an inclusive all age group is not what the majority has in mind, the majority made up of young gay males and as a result ted to select gay them event like Gay pride and the gay night skate. I and a few others, feel we are the odd “breeders” out. This nothing to do with politics or religion; the others are secular and most likely centrist to liberal. I did not  feel the need to ask them their polities. All four of us seem to gravitate to the same table, and I have not seen the other three at recent fur meets.

This has cause me to think about why are people are part of the fandom.  I believe there is a large group that seem not interested in Anthropomorphism but in socializing or being part of a community that is on the fringe and outside the norm. I guess the way some are into punk, emo  or Goth groups. In my opinion these non fur furs are seen more at meets than on line forums such as this one. Any body se the same in their local groups?

[sniffswind]

I am not a socializer, unlike these young 20 somethings that currently predominate in the fandom (or I wouldn't only go to one convention a year).  I have very little in common with (I'm actually gonna SAY it) these kids.  there are also very few fursons my own age to bother with.  even in real life, there's not much left.  half of my generation has 4-6 kids to worry about, 12 hour a day jobs, and a naggy wife to put up with.

your not the only one in a generational dead zone.  at AC, i have to hang out with guys in their 40's or 50's to get ANY sort of conversation, and then, I'd rather have car talk, sometimes

[pocomouse]

I run into the "kid" problem and I'm not that old to begin with.  Much of the local community is in their late teens/early 20's and the "meets"  tend toward Pepsi parties that involve video games and anime movies.  I feel old and I'm only just shy of 30.   

Cons are better for me.  Generally the kids can't afford to travel so the age range skews a little older.

[Edward Vulpes]

I may be young myself, but I do know the feeling (my family does say that I was born a shriveled old man). Although I have no local group of furs with which to meet, I have chatted with several young (and by that I mean those around my own physical age) furries through various mediums and in person, and the difference in ideals is astounding. I would definitely be in agreement with the fact that, based on my own sampling, there are many simply interested in the fandom for the difference it affords them, rather than any real passion for anthropomorphizing animals or objects.

I would probably mesh easily with the "greymuzzles", assuming I can ever make it to a convention. Save a space for me, eh?

[Kaloth]

I understand this. I am actually younger than most of the people who do those things, but I still find myself tempted to call them kids. I find it funny that some people join just to be part of a group that is on the fringe and misunderstood, but as a result it becomes mainstream. (Look at goth and emo). Just my two cents.

[Bloodtooth]

I am a social person. But I know what you mean by "these kids" and I must admit, I hate that group. I don't socialise until I know the person, and know I want to talk to them. Then I shoot crap with anyone else who wants to.

I often find myself at friends parties ending up chatting with the parents. 0.o It's weird, but fun.

[roukan]

I know a few young gay male furries...and am a young lesbian furry myself, however, I do not believe that most are in it simply to join a community on the edge. I mean, furries do have a common interest...that is a single common interest. Sure there could be other things...but we are all here because of, technically, only ONE thing. It COULD bring furries together, but there could also be an array of other differences that could bring them apart. I love all my gay guy friends to death, but I'll admit they do tend to act a little too rambunctious and immature for my tastes at times. I just wouldn't be so quick to say that they are only in it simply to be part of another minority. They're already discriminated enough as gays, why would they want to be a part of something that seems to get even more crap? That's just my opinion on it.

I, for one, am an avid furry artist and a soon-to-be fursuiter as is one of my other younger gay friends. The rest wish they could but don't have the talent or the money, although one is a DJ. So we might like anime and video games...anime conventions have 30+ people who are just as into it as the "kids" ...it's just different interests, whether in this fandom or not.

[Lunara_Lioness]

I've been in the fandom officially since 2004, and I lean more towards a lifestyler and Therian. I'm 24 and never could fully relate to most people my age, and the younger, teenage set can leave me feeling cold, male or female. Sometimes though, there are a few young'uns that set off this maternal instinct in me, and I feel the need to give them guidance. I've always felt more natural and comfortable talking to and being around "Greymuzzles." I'm starting to think I should consider myself one of them. 

[josh down]

i'm not a 'lifestyler' as such (as in i've never worn a fursuit) but i love anthropomorphic animals, and am actualy thinking about getting a tail... but i'm also on it for the social side... cause my rl friends suck... XD but that's just a kinda extra bonus that i've discovered from being a part of it

so... thanks guys!

[shakuhachi]

um... I love it. I would be one even if I was the only one in the world. I already fit in just fine with my non-fur friends(all of them), so im part of the community to discuss what other people I know dont understand.

[Mazin]

Have you tried talking to them about it, Acton? You could try gently telling them that, while there's nothing wrong with the events chosen, they just aren't things you're really interested in, so you feel left out. Another option might be to organize an event yourself, something that everyone could enjoy, like a trip to the zoo or bowling.

[Gwyndolium]

That's why I like to hang out with the group I hang out with. It's a fursuiting group which means we go out and suit alot and have fun which makes us talk alot about furry everytime we meet and fursuits. It makes me feel more it's about furry and not just computers and stuff.

[TCD]

Have you tried talking to them about it, Acton? You could try gently telling them that, while there's nothing wrong with the events chosen, they just aren't things you're really interested in, so you feel left out. Another option might be to organize an event yourself, something that everyone could enjoy, like a trip to the zoo or bowling.

This.

I am probably one of "those people"  despite not having met furries offline. I came for the art, I have stayed for the people and the socialization is a BIG part of why I stay in the fandom. I am, however, an honestly mature person who will have a conversation with just about anyone over just about anythiung. I'm kind of insulted that there would be such a dismissal of people my age (I will be 21 in August).

Honestly, when a group of people get together for one reason, they will often discover that they have otheer reasons to hang around together. My gaming group, for example, has this mutal adoration for superheroes/comic books, anime, medieval stuff...I'm not into the anime stuff, or the comic book stuff, but I still can have a good time. *shrug*

[Morg]

[deleted]

[Holley]

I do get what you mean, Acton; there's some Furs I don't particularly enjoy being around since at the back of my mind all I can think is 'grow up!' ... but the flip side is that the Fandom has been a great help to me in growing down   Before Furry came along I was in need of a booster shot of fun, big time!

As for the Gayness of it all, I can sympathise; are there no other local meets with a different emphasis?  Here in the UK the last Manchester meet was held in the village etc, but most other meets within 50 miles revolve around androgenous activities like bowling, laserquest and stuff ...

[pocomouse]

I guess maybe I was unfair in my earlier statement.  The problem has nothing to do with the age of the local community, it has to do with the content of the meets.  A furry meetup should have something to do with furriness.  I think that's what Acton was getting at too (correct me if I'm wrong, Acton).  In his case the problem is the local scene is all about GLBT stuff, in mine it seems to revolve around movies and video games.  I like both, but I want to hang out with furs at a furmeet, not gamers.  Anyway, I just wanted to clarify. 

[Acton]

I guess maybe I was unfair in my earlier statement.  The problem has nothing to do with the age of the local community, it has to do with the content of the meets.  A furry meetup should have something to do with furriness.  I think that's what Acton was getting at too (correct me if I'm wrong, Acton).  In his case the problem is the local scene is all about GLBT stuff, in mine it seems to revolve around movies and video games.  I like both, but I want to hang out with furs at a furmeet, not gamers.  Anyway, I just wanted to clarify. 

That sums it up very much. It seems to be about GLBT socializing with a big side helping of gamming.

I am a bible believing Christian if it was not for other Christian forum and fur groups I problem might be less incline to be furry.  To my friends who are gay I do not brow beat them but agree to disagree and just try to concentrate of common furry interest. I often just bite my tongue and keep my peace. I feel it is not good if we just concentrate on gamer issues, GLBT issues or even Christian issues. There a place for such niche groups but the meets and cons need to appeal to a wider range of people if the fandom is to grow.

I am not concern about my self but others. I still go to the public meets in order to be available and make it a point to spend time with older attendees or those who are off to the side. I very concern how we represent PDX furs to the outside. We are the only furs people see. There was an incident of “shock the mundanes” at a local park that was uncalled for and posting in the forum of a day at the gay section of a nude beach puts the group in a bad light and should been kept privately.

[Traumerei]

I guess maybe I was unfair in my earlier statement.  The problem has nothing to do with the age of the local community, it has to do with the content of the meets.  A furry meetup should have something to do with furriness.  I think that's what Acton was getting at too (correct me if I'm wrong, Acton).  In his case the problem is the local scene is all about GLBT stuff, in mine it seems to revolve around movies and video games.  I like both, but I want to hang out with furs at a furmeet, not gamers.  Anyway, I just wanted to clarify. 

That sums it up very much. It seems to be about GLBT socializing with a big side helping of gamming.

I am a bible believing Christian if it was not for other Christian forum and fur groups I problem might be less incline to be furry.  To my friends who are gay I do not brow beat them but agree to disagree and just try to concentrate of common furry interest. I often just bite my tongue and keep my peace. I feel it is not good if we just concentrate on gamer issues, GLBT issues or even Christian issues. There a place for such niche groups but the meets and cons need to appeal to a wider range of people if the fandom is to grow.

I am not concern about my self but others. I still go to the public meets in order to be available and make it a point to spend time with older attendees or those who are off to the side. I very concern how we represent PDX furs to the outside. We are the only furs people see. There was an incident of “shock the mundanes” at a local park that was uncalled for and posting in the forum of a day at the gay section of a nude beach puts the group in a bad light and should been kept privately.

Is it the GLBT communities problem, or the Christian intolerance? Maybe if both sides grew closer, in the aspects of respect, then it wouldn't be such an issue. I'm sorry, but last time I checked "furry" didn't need to conform to the likeness of other groups in order to attract members. The fandom doesn't range a specific lifestyle, and instead should be seen as a blanket term, uniting all those who hold an interest in anthropomorphism.

[Traumerei]

 Also, are you sure that the community is choosing to stray from the normal idea of society, or that the fandom is more likely to attract these people? Possibly it is a mixture of both, or maybe we are just generally more accepting people, and those who are different feel no need to really hide much.

In response to you suggesting a wider range of events that ALL members can feel comfortable in, I agree. If you wished for more "conservative-based" activities, then we need more conservative people in the fandom to organize such. I'm willing to set aside my personal morals if the other side is willing to set aside their's.

(Sorry for the extra post. My last one wasn't recording my modifications for some strange reason.)

[Acton]

Is it the GLBT communities problem, or the Christian intolerance? Maybe if both sides grew closer, in the aspects of respect, then it wouldn't be such an issue. I'm sorry, but last time I checked "furry" didn't need to conform to the likeness of other groups in order to attract members. The fandom doesn't range a specific lifestyle, and instead should be seen as a blanket term, uniting all those who hold an interest in anthropomorphism.

Sorry Gus the constitution doesn't grant the right to agreement.  Unfortunately  the word tolerance has bee twisted. So in the words of Dennis Prager I prefer clarity rather than agreement.
With that in mind the only way the fandom to grow with a large group of people with different views  and lifestyles is to concentrate in area we can agree on while not emphasizing our differences just like you said. The fandom will stagnate if we go to far to the GLBT side or Christian side.
I also said and the knowledge of smaller niche groups for GLBT, Greymuzzles, Conservative, Liberal, Christian and so on. 

[Mazin]

Severian, I don't think you're giving Acton enough credit here. I don't think he has a problem with other furries being GLBT (otherwise I doubt he'd socialize with them in the first place), it's just that his local furry group tends to only choose GLBT-related events, and he feels that he and a few other members are being left out.

[Kos]

The other night I was chatting with some of my furry cohorts and we came upon an interesting question that actually relates to this topic nicely, namely "Have you ever met a fur that didn't like going to the zoo?"

There are other furry meet ideas that can match the needs of even the most diverse group, like potluck picnics in parks to throw shiny objects around and discuss your favorite furry moments in life or film.  Maybe a furry meet night where you all decide to write supportive emails to artists that influenced you as a fur so you can bring a smile to someone you respect.  Earlier this week I printed up a thousand fact flyers for my friends 10 hours away and shipped them Fedex so that during their local community celebration they can be themselves and also help to build some furry awareness.  Some of these ideas lean more towards a good goofy evening and others go more the line of "work", but they are all things that furs can get behind regardless of age or creed.

[Dark]

So I am new and can't give much of an opion on this.

I am have just this year considered myself a furry...as well learned of the fandom. I've liked the furry charactors most my life, be they art or story. When I found out about furriness I was excited because I had found something that was just what I felt and then I found out just how social and friendly most furries can be that was like an added bonus.   I mean I has always fit in with my friends, though not with most of the norms of society(can't spell.), and I love making friends.  So I guest I could be seen as a youngster. I am 18 and new to the fandom. But if you asked my sister she'd tell you I tend to talk at her like an old man! LOL But online and specially with furry forums I am able to be younger and so much closer to my heart's age! Lol   I think because my dad was never really there I have tried to be an adult to soon so furry is awesome.....idk my thoughts just fell off...I some times hate ADHD! Sorry guys I can't finish what I was saying now.

 

But yeah I am just me and if you think I am a youngster that's fine and I am sorry to bother yous.

[Narei Mooncatt]

I am not a socializer, unlike these young 20 somethings that currently predominate in the fandom (or I wouldn't only go to one convention a year).  I have very little in common with (I'm actually gonna SAY it) these kids.  there are also very few fursons my own age to bother with.  even in real life, there's not much left.  half of my generation has 4-6 kids to worry about, 12 hour a day jobs, and a naggy wife to put up with.

your not the only one in a generational dead zone.  at AC, i have to hang out with guys in their 40's or 50's to get ANY sort of conversation, and then, I'd rather have car talk, sometimes

That's almost exactly what I would have said, except I do go to several conventions. Not for the social aspect, but just to see the various fur events, art, etc. I people watch a lot, but I tend not to get involved with groups. I've had my furness questioned because I don't socialize with "those kids", or anyone for that matter, keeping to myself most of the time and not making a lot of friends. But I'm not in the fandom to befriend every new fur I meet. I'm in it because I enjoy the art, the idea of anthro creatures and being one, and watching fursuiters perform. But I guess to some, maybe that's not furry enough.

Sniffswind, maybe I'll see at the AC meet and greet.  I do much enjoy talking with people one on one, but I don't really care for group discussions or parties. So feel free to say hi if you spot me or my big blue tail.  I'm in my upper 20's, so it'd be nice to have some mature people to hang with for a bit, instead of a lot of care free "kids" (socially speaking, not just young in age).

[sniffswind]

Ladies and Gentlemen, Narei has just given a description of a general older fur.  I too, am in it for art, costunes, design...and quite frankly, to drool at the art of my favorite pros...who are either female or African.

i may miss the meet and greet, as I show up generally friday morning, and only stay till saturday.  I ran around for two days last year, and only saw Aloha in suit (i don't have pictoral conbadges, mine fell apart!).  I spent the days BSing with my ex's freinds.