Questions For The Fandom

[Sting125]

I don’t consider myself a member of the furry fandom, but I’ve always been curious about it. I’m aware of its base on anthropomorphic animals and creatures, but I’ve never really understood what kind of people its members are, and how they actually think and feel about it as a whole.

I’ve written out a list of questions for your group to get a better idea of the fandom’s members. I’d really appreciate it if you can take the time to answer a few of them. I don’t really expect you to reply to all of them. Even you just choose to answer one question, that’s fine by me.

Be as brief or detailed as you like.

1. How did you come by the fandom?

2. What drew you into the group?

3. Do you feel a sense of belonging?

4. How does your persona connect with you?

5. How have friends and relatives responded to your interests?

6. Are you spiritually drawn to a specific creature? If so, how?

7. Through which medium of art do you often express yourself? Why?

8. How do you feel towards the negative images portrayed of the fandom?

9. Has being an active member of the fandom supported you emotionally?

10. Do you own a costume? Do you feel and think differently wearing it?

11. What elements from pop culture in specific do you think have influenced the fandom?

12. Why do you consider yourself a furry in general?

13. Has being an active member of the fandom resolved any personal issues in your life?

14. How important a role does art play in the furry fandom?

15. Would you consider your interests as part of a lifestyle?

16. Do you consider your persona an actual part of you? How?

17. What are your own impressions of the fandom?

18. How does your persona relate to yourself?

19. Do you think the fandom is a close community or a distant one?

20. What would you do to change the general image of the fandom?

21. Do you think the fandom is any different to most subcultures? If so, why?

22. Do you often feel in touch with nature as a furry?

23. What is an animal to you? Do you interpret them any differently to the norm?

24. If you had the chance to become your persona, would you take it?

25. What do you personally portray the fandom as?

Thank you for taking the time to read through this thread.

Sting125.

 

[CynicalCirno]

Many of the questions appeared as lone threads or in stickies. I'd suggest you to find some of these.

26. Did you ever use the "Search" button?

 

[The DK]

Cynical has a point, if you lurk long enough all of these qustions answer themselves

 

[Commiecomrade]

I'll do it anyway:

1. A friend told me, pretty much.
2. I really cannot say; I gues I've always liked anthros.
3. A little bit; there aren't many people I know, and not many know me, but it's fine.
4. I think you mean fursona; its personality reflects mine.
5. My parents think it's pretty cool, and my brother thinks I'm insane.
6. Not really spiritually, but I just like the wolf.
7. Traditional; I never felt any want of going digital.
8. I used to care, but then came to the conclusion that it doesn't really matter.
9. I never had any emotional problems to begin with, but I admit it has made life more interesting.
10. It's a fursuit; I do not, but I imagine I will in the next 5 years.
11. That's a tough question; I think all the negative publicity has attracted many more members to the fandom.
12. Because I like anthropomorphism; that's the definition of a furry.
13. Can't think of any.
14. Extremely important. It's probably 85-90% of the fandom.
15. Being furry takes up a lot of my time and thoughts, but I can't really say it has controlled my life.
16. Yes; as stated before, my fursona is a reflection of my personality.
17. There are many idiots, but then there are many great people.
18. See 16.
19. I'd say it has pockets. There is a close network of furs here, there's one on the IRC channels, and there are a great many on the main site. Between these groups, there's less contact, though.
20. I'd personally go on a talk show and explain what being a furry truly is.
21. No; it's a group of people sharing similar interests, it's got its freaks, and it gets negative publicity. I'd say it's like all subcultures.
22. I do love nature, but I don't feel it's a correlative to my furryness.
23. Not really, no.
24. Oh God, they almighty question. Only me: no. Everyone (or even over half): yes.
25. It's just a group of likeminded individuals, and cannot be labeled any more specifically.

 

[Slyck]

Please read this, I feel my answers to be enlightening and nurturing to the id.

1. How did you come by the fandom?

Pretty much did just that.

2. What drew you into the group?

Originally came here looking for people to troll, but I'm better than that.

3. Do you feel a sense of belonging?

There's people here that rape dogs and children and children's dogs that feel a sense of belonging, so, no. I don't.

4. How does your persona connect with you?

I think you answered your own question there, Sting. Oh, you mean "fursona"? Nah. I'm 2 khool 4 skhool.

5. How have friends and relatives responded to your interests?

Vigorously and in a shafting motion.

6. Are you spiritually drawn to a specific creature? If so, how?

I hear some people are spiritually drawn to some type of god thing. I think that's what they call it.

7. Through which medium of art do you often express yourself? Why?

I tend to bitch and moan to the point where you can hear me whining through my keyboard, so I guess that would be vocal expression.

8. How do you feel towards the negative images portrayed of the fandom?

I mostly find them to be down-to-earth and well-justified.

9. Has being an active member of the fandom supported you emotionally?

Yes, in fact. One time I was feeling depressed, and without the help of some of the more compassionate members of this place, I might have somehow got myself out of it. But no, they made sure I took the high road! Attempted suicide!

10. Do you own a costume? Do you feel and think differently wearing it?

My costume consists of a shirt, pants, underpants and socks. Shoes if I'm going out somewhere. I tend to feel significantly more clothed when wearing it.

11. What elements from pop culture in specific do you think have influenced the fandom?

I honestly have no good answer. I have answers, but not good ones.

12. Why do you consider yourself a furry in general?

Because it would be silly to not consider myself one and still be a furry.

13. Has being an active member of the fandom resolved any personal issues in your life?

Yep. Well, uh..

Nope.

14. How important a role does art play in the furry fandom?

Art? Not that big. Twelve-foot penii in drawings and Z-cup boobs (but not on females) do tend to play a role though.

15. Would you consider your interests as part of a lifestyle?

I have yet to encounter someone that spends any of their life here with any kind of style whatsoever.

16. Do you consider your persona an actual part of you? How?

Yeah, it's the part that resides next to the gallbladder. I had to have surgery one it once.

17. What are your own impressions of the fandom?

I tend to come out much more flaccid than I was when I went in. Not talking about my dick either.

18. How does your persona relate to yourself?

I think that would be a linear relation if I remember my algebra correctly.

19. Do you think the fandom is a close community or a distant one?

We're very close, like conjoined twins that share one mouth but different teeth.

20. What would you do to change the general image of the fandom?

I'd probably blur out some of it.

21. Do you think the fandom is any different to most subcultures? If so, why?

The thing that I think separates us the most from the mods / punks / hippies / etc is that we're not really a subculture.

22. Do you often feel in touch with nature as a furry?

Yes, in fact. My increased consumption of pre-packaged food has really helped me get back to the simple things in life.

23. What is an animal to you? Do you interpret them any differently to the norm?

I see an animal as a (usually multicellular) organism characterized by voluntary movement.

24. If you had the chance to become your persona, would you take it?

I'd probably take it and sell it at an increased cost. A toast to capitalism! Hoorah!

25. What do you personally portray the fandom as?

I like to use it to lure small children into my van that I have parked outside closest to the McDonalds playpen.

Thank you, come again.

No problem.

 

[Fay V]

1. How did you come by the fandom?
Last year I dated a furry. I found out that it wasn't completely online sexual deviants and just an anthro hobby. I like anthros so I started to take part in the group

2. What drew you into the group?
I dunno. It was fun, I like the art. I wandered to this vitriol, acidic, toxic wastedump of a forum and felt at home.

3. Do you feel a sense of belonging? Sure. It's just a hobby. No skin off my nose if it goes away, but I've met some cool people through the fandom.

4. How does your persona connect with you?
I don't know. it's how I represent myself online. It's a comical interpretation of myself

5. How have friends and relatives responded to your interests?
Fine. When I was making my fursuit they thought it was neat. When they saw me drawing a fox with a sheathe once they said "oh that fox is rude" then went on to say how it looked like a tranny because I can't draw pecs properly >.>. Never seen actual porn because I'm not into that.

6. Are you spiritually drawn to a specific creature? If so, how?
No

7. Through which medium of art do you often express yourself? Why?
Digital. Because I don't really write anymore and I am slowly getting better at digital art

8. How do you feel towards the negative images portrayed of the fandom?
Meh. It's my hobby. It's annoying when I am lumped with murrsuits but anyone I give a shit about knows I am not into that.

9. Has being an active member of the fandom supported you emotionally?
No...not really. No more than any other forum

10. Do you own a costume? Do you feel and think differently wearing it?
Yes...yes...It's not spiritual or anything. I think differently because the suit demands it. Bad sight and so on. I work with kids and have to be conscientious of that. It's a different psychological adaption. I do deal with kids better in suit though, and I'm more open to getting (clean) hugs.

11. What elements from pop culture in specific do you think have influenced the fandom?
i don't know, cartoons or something.

12. Why do you consider yourself a furry in general?
Pretty much. I'm not into the porn part, but I have a fursona, like anthros, hang out on FA and have a fursuit.

13. Has being an active member of the fandom resolved any personal issues in your life?
not really. It's given me a nice hobby and that's helped in life, but at the same time i joined I also grew the hell up so i think it's more that than anything.

14. How important a role does art play in the furry fandom?
Kind of a lot I think. It's one of the biggest mediums in the fandom.

15. Would you consider your interests as part of a lifestyle?
Nope


16. Do you consider your persona an actual part of you? How?
It's an idea of mine, a creative idea as close to me as any of my characters. It's like...a nickname. I can drop it and be done, but I find it endearing to keep around

17. What are your own impressions of the fandom?
There's a lot of cool people. And there's a lot of teenagers that want to be special snowflakes...and then there are those with honest to god social problems that worry me.

18. How does your persona relate to yourself? It's how I represent myself online

19. Do you think the fandom is a close community or a distant one? both. It's online so that's always detached. You can get as into it as you please, but at the same time if you have local meets or cons it's usually the same people.

20. What would you do to change the general image of the fandom? I don't know. Fewer of the idiot teens that try to make up for their issues with parents by using "furry pride"

21. Do you think the fandom is any different to most subcultures? If so, why? sure. it's less focused that other subcultures I suppose. No specific show or types of shows. there's art, stories, etc.

22. Do you often feel in touch with nature as a furry? Nope. I feel in touch with nature as someone that lives in montana and boggle at people that want to "pet" a buffalo

23. What is an animal to you? Do you interpret them any differently to the norm? I dunno what the norm is. Animals are neat. they are what they are. In many ways they are similar to people, but I don't pretend they are as intelligent or could do something they can't.

24. If you had the chance to become your persona, would you take it? hell no

25. What do you personally portray the fandom as? I'm not sure what this even means but i think it's a group of people with the same hobby.

 

[Eske]

Out of sheer boredom, I suppose I'll answer a few questions...

1. How did you come by the fandom?
I remember seeing some anthro roleplaying groups on neopets when I was ~12, and I was curious... a while later I encountered some 'furry' artwork, which I liked, and I started hanging out at furry chatrooms on deviantart, until someone eventually persuaded me to join FA.

2. What drew you into the group?
I was your average nerdy loner child with no friends, and I loved animals and drawing. Not a huge surprise that I ended up here...

3. Do you feel a sense of belonging?
In some ways, I do... I certainly have my friends here, and I like that there is an entire fandom/group dedicated to people who love animals and art. But sometimes I feel very disconnected from the community.

4. How does your persona connect with you?
My persona is me, to some extent. It gives me a way to be present, without having to actually be present. Like a mask to hide behind, I guess.

5. How have friends and relatives responded to your interests?
My family and friends have only been supportive of me. They don't think badly of my hobby, especially since I am not exactly an overly flamboyant sort of furry.

6. Are you spiritually drawn to a specific creature? If so, how?
That's a tough question to answer. A while ago, I experimented with meditation and spirit totems, and the Barn Owl was one recurring creature, which eventually became very precious to me for that reason. These days, however, I feel very disconnected from anything of that sort, though the Barn Owl will continue to be one creature that I'll always feel close to, somehow.

7. Through which medium of art do you often express yourself? Why?
I am, as of late, a digital artist -- purely for the fact that I can't afford paint and canvas. I have always loved painting, for as long as I can remember. Painting with photoshop and a tablet is as close as I can get to it without breaking the bank.

8. How do you feel towards the negative images portrayed of the fandom?
Most of the time, I don't give a crap. That's not me, so I don't worry about it. If people want to come to me with predetermined ideas about who I am, based on what they've heard about other people who share my interests, that's fine. That's probably not the type of person I want to be around, anyway.

9. Has being an active member of the fandom supported you emotionally?
Yes, I suppose so -- but only for the fact that I've made close friends here, and they have been the ones to support me emotionally.

10. Do you own a costume? Do you feel and think differently wearing it?
No, I don't own a costume. I think it would be neat to wear one merely for the sake of entertaining sick kids, or doing special events, or something -- but I'm not at all interested in getting one purely for my own sake.

11. What elements from pop culture in specific do you think have influenced the fandom?
Good question.

12. Why do you consider yourself a furry in general?
Because I enjoy drawing anthropomorphic animals, and I like being part of this community.

13. Has being an active member of the fandom resolved any personal issues in your life?
Actually, yeah. I learned to stop giving a shit about what people think of me, and to focus on what really matters in life -- finding happiness for you and your loved ones in this crappy world.

14. How important a role does art play in the furry fandom?
I'd say that's probably one of the most important aspects of the fandom. Though I'm probably biased, since I'm an artist, myself.

15. Would you consider your interests as part of a lifestyle?
Er... I don't know? It's part of my lifestyle? If you mean, 'do I consider 'furry' to be a lifestyle choice', the answer is 'lolno, it's a hobby'.

16. Do you consider your persona an actual part of you? How?
No, but I consider myself to be a major part of my persona, as my persona is based on me. I can't see how it would be the other way around...

17. What are your own impressions of the fandom?
That there are some really cool people here, but there are also a lot of whiny pre-teens (no hate, I was one myself, once) -- and creeps.

18. How does your persona relate to yourself?
Haven't I answered this question twice already? My persona is a version of me that I can use to represent me within the fandom. It's who I am, and a little bit of who I'd like to be.

19. Do you think the fandom is a close community or a distant one?
It depends entirely on who you are... but from my viewpoint, I'd say that it's both. You can find your little niche, where you feel really close to the people you've befriended, but the fandom is so big that not everyone is obviously going to feel close to everyone else, simply for a shared interest.

20. What would you do to change the general image of the fandom?
I think for that to happen, the human race as a whole is going to need a face-lift. It's not the "fandom image", it's a combination of stupid people making assumptions, and stupid people doing stupid things -- which will always happen.

21. Do you think the fandom is any different to most subcultures? If so, why?
Nope. Only on a superficial level (i.e. anime fans like anime, furry fans like animals).

22. Do you often feel in touch with nature as a furry?
Not as a furry, but as a person. Furry has nothing to do with it, for me.

23. What is an animal to you? Do you interpret them any differently to the norm?
I consider animals to be on-par with human beings in terms of value (and in some cases, intelligence...).

24. If you had the chance to become your persona, would you take it?
Hm. It would be cool to be an Owl. I'd love to be able to fly... Maybe if I knew I didn't have much time left to live, I'd do it. Otherwise, I'll stay human, thanks.

25. What do you personally portray the fandom as?
A bunch of nerdy animal-loving artists. c:

 

[PATROL]

Since I had time.

1. How did you come by the fandom?
When I got internet and subject came to furries in some other forum.
2. What drew you into the group?
Exploration
3. Do you feel a sense of belonging?
Depends on a subject. Nobody belongs to every part of it.
4. How does your persona connect with you?
see answer 16.
5. How have friends and relatives responded to your interests?
They have no idea - yet at least. They odn't need to know.
6. Are you spiritually drawn to a specific creature? If so, how?
I am trying to avoid that.
7. Through which medium of art do you often express yourself? Why?
Traditional
8. How do you feel towards the negative images portrayed of the fandom?
Sadly, many times they are true.
9. Has being an active member of the fandom supported you emotionally?
No
10. Do you own a costume? Do you feel and think differently wearing it?
No interest in that.
11. What elements from pop culture in specific do you think have influenced the fandom?
Nothing I can think of
12. Why do you consider yourself a furry in general?
Because I feel so.
13. Has being an active member of the fandom resolved any personal issues in your life?
no
14. How important a role does art play in the furry fandom?
Huge.
15. Would you consider your interests as part of a lifestyle?
I am trying to avoid that too.
16. Do you consider your persona an actual part of you? How?
Part of my personality, yes. I didn't pick an animal I like and then tried to relate myself to it somehow. It's the opposite way. My personality reminds people of a canine personality. I just accepted it. Nothing more.
17. What are your own impressions of the fandom?
It's not united enough.
18. How does your persona relate to yourself?
see answer 16.
19. Do you think the fandom is a close community or a distant one?
Fandom is in my opinion too large to be a close community. Only individuals can.
20. What would you do to change the general image of the fandom?
It's like any other fandom. If everyone would do some exploration on their own, there would be many different opinions.
21. Do you think the fandom is any different to most subcultures? If so, why?
Just like I've said in question 20. It's only furry porn what throws a shadow over furry fandom. People generalise everyone is a zoophile if they watch that. I admit it is strange but there are plenty of weird fetishes out there which don't even get attention and are much worse. Furry is just more known and gets all the focus.
22. Do you often feel in touch with nature as a furry?
I love nature. I'm not any extreme eco fanatic or some sort of hippy. I'm like any other person furry or non-furry who likes to spend time in nature, camping, etc.
Someone who is in motorsports will probably like cars too, similar is with animals, if you like them, you probably like nature too.
23. What is an animal to you? Do you interpret them any differently to the norm?
Animal is just like human a living organism. We aren't that different, we think, feel, like, dislike things... The difference is in inteligence, anathomy of course, and general behaviour for the species which reflects in every member of the species but can vary to some level when it comes to an individual.
24. If you had the chance to become your persona, would you take it?
I like myself the way I am. But I believe everything has it's advantages and disadvantages.
25. What do you personally portray the fandom as?
As a group of people with about similar interests.

 

[rainingdarkness]

I like answering lots of questions at once.

1. How did you come by the fandom?
A handful of furs were on this adoptable site I'm a member of, and I sort of ventured over here while looking at their art.

2. What drew you into the group?
There's a lot of talented artists on the main site, and the people in the forums amuse the hell out of me. I've never been a member of any other furry site so I have nothing to compare it too, though.

3. Do you feel a sense of belonging?
Not particularly, I'm still pretty new. I guess I'm about as settled in as I'm going to get though.

4. How does your persona connect with you?
It's just a character that I use to represent myself online. I haven't even fleshed out the design or by extension, gotten art of her so...it doesn't really connect with me beyond having my personality.

5. How have friends and relatives responded to your interests?
It hasn't come up in conversation. I doubt they'd care.

6. Are you spiritually drawn to a specific creature? If so, how?
Nah.

7. Through which medium of art do you often express yourself? Why?
I usually draw digitally because I hate eraser smudges and enjoy using specific colors without having to own a pencil/copic/whatever of each one.

8. How do you feel towards the negative images portrayed of the fandom?
I don't really care. Being a fan of something doesn't necessarily mean you're represented by everyone else who likes the same thing.

9. Has being an active member of the fandom supported you emotionally?
Not particularly. It's pretty much irrelevant in the scheme of my life.

10. Do you own a costume? Do you feel and think differently wearing it?
Nope.

11. What elements from pop culture in specific do you think have influenced the fandom?
No idea.

12. Why do you consider yourself a furry in general?
Because I enjoy anthropomorphic art.

13. Has being an active member of the fandom resolved any personal issues in your life?
Nope.

14. How important a role does art play in the furry fandom?
It's based off anthropomorphism. That wouldn't exist if it wasn't for art. You tell me.

15. Would you consider your interests as part of a lifestyle?
Not any more than I'd consider any other interests a part of my lifestyle, no.

16. Do you consider your persona an actual part of you? How?
Not really, I'd consider it as more of an extension of myself; more of a digital representation.

17. What are your own impressions of the fandom?
There are a lot of different types of people in it, and most of them masturbate a lot.

18. How does your persona relate to yourself?
This again? Read my other answers.

19. Do you think the fandom is a close community or a distant one?
Probably depends on where you are on the internet and how many furries you know in real life.

20. What would you do to change the general image of the fandom?
I couldn't care less about changing the image of it.

21. Do you think the fandom is any different to most subcultures? If so, why?
Nope. Runs right in line with trekkies and animoos for me.

22. Do you often feel in touch with nature as a furry?
No more than usual.

23. What is an animal to you? Do you interpret them any differently to the norm?
Something that lives and breathes. Nope.

24. If you had the chance to become your persona, would you take it?
No.

25. What do you personally portray the fandom as?
A large group of people that like anthros. p:

 

[NovaMetatail]

1. How did you come by the fandom?

I came here through therianthropy, yes I identify as canine/dragon mindset.

2. What drew you into the group?

I've always been a furry, if you ask me. I used to draw anthropomorphic art as a child, granted I was never great at it...I wore tails, wings, so on, and loved it. Always loved mascot costumes too

3. Do you feel a sense of belonging?

Yes. Especially at conventions. People are more accepting and fun there. It's the one place that I know of, where you can skip down the halls singing, "Hakuna Matata" and not get any weird looks. Heck, you might get some people joining in!

4. How does your persona connect with you?

It's my mentality and personality. It's me in a nutshell. I'm wise, benevolent, but temperamental and quirky. I also love wearing dragon wings and tails.

5. How have friends and relatives responded to your interests?

They've always known I was a little...odd, so they shrug it off as me being "me".

6. Are you spiritually drawn to a specific creature? If so, how?

Wolves, dragons, birds, and others. I have the mentality of a canine and dragon, to the point that I identify as a therian as well. Though, if I had to just go with one, I would say wolves.

7. Through which medium of art do you often express yourself? Why?

Lyrics, music, and general writing. I've always excelled at English, and I have musical talent including song writing and singing. I feel I can express who I am truly through these means.

8. How do you feel towards the negative images portrayed of the fandom?

I think they are ridiculous, but understandable. Most people find anything that they don't understand to be bizarre, even "wrong". It's normal to pass incorrect and biased judgments about things we have not researched in depth. If this so called, "uninformed" person then hears that furries are all, say, "perverted people who practice bestiality", they may believe it since they know nothing else.

9. Has being an active member of the fandom supported you emotionally?

Yes. The hugs that you get at cons are quite nice! Plus, growing up being so different, I had few friends. Since coming to the fandom, I have met some great people with a lot of similarities. It's comfortable for me.

10. Do you own a costume? Do you feel and think differently wearing it?

I own wings and a tail, but not a full fursuit. I love them, and feel at home with the dragon wings and tail on. I feel better, because I feel more "right". People have even commented at conventions that I look "right" with these on, and that I wear them well.

11. What elements from pop culture in specific do you think have influenced the fandom?

I have noticed that a lot of furries enjoy animal movies where the animals talk..."Homeward Bound", "Cats and Dogs", "Alpha and Omega", and "The Fox and the Hound" would be examples.

12. Why do you consider yourself a furry in general?

I believe I explained this above. It's just an identity of sorts.

13. Has being an active member of the fandom resolved any personal issues in your life?

Yes. Being a furry has allowed me to socialize better. There are a lot of other furries with Asperger's.

14. How important a role does art play in the furry fandom?

Quite an important role, actually. If I'm not mistaken, it is what started the fandom in the '80's. Without it, there would be no furry fandom.

15. Would you consider your interests as part of a lifestyle?

Yes.

16. Do you consider your persona an actual part of you? How?

Yes. It's how I think, feel, and behave. It sums up who I am.

17. What are your own impressions of the fandom?

From what I have seen, the fandom has quite a social atmosphere. People vary a bit, but overall there are many common interests. Furries as a whole seem to be (at least in person) more accepting of each other's quirks. We may be a bit socially inept, and may be a bit on the perverted side at times, but we embrace the very basic needs.

18. How does your persona relate to yourself?

I believe I have explained this as well. It's a representation of who I am, and also how I feel mentally.

19. Do you think the fandom is a close community or a distant one?

A very close community. Everyone seems to know each other.

20. What would you do to change the general image of the fandom?

At the moment, there's not much that can be done. For now, we must gently "ease" into society, and let them learn.

21. Do you think the fandom is any different to most subcultures? If so, why?

For the most part, not really. It's just a group of people with common interests.

22. Do you often feel in touch with nature as a furry?

Not anymore than I usually do!

23. What is an animal to you? Do you interpret them any differently to the norm?

An animal to me is any sort of vertebrate or invertebrate. Basically most living things that are not bacteria, fungi, or a plant. I do believe humans to be animals. This definition is essentially the definition that science has.

24. If you had the chance to become your persona, would you take it?

Yes.

25. What do you personally portray the fandom as?

I portray furry as something that is a fun-filled community, that allows me to express who I am inside outwardly.


-Nova

 

[CynicalCirno]

1. How did you come by the fandom?
Gaia online, more likely to gaya online.
It led me to youtube furries and TF lovers, and the rest magic.
So basically I started knowing the fandom through a fetish?

2. What drew you into the group?
I was blinded by the [I don't know what]. Furries were so much awkward to me, I felt I had to explore the area and observe.

3. Do you feel a sense of belonging?
Yes, I belong to the fandom because I belong to FAF as a member. All the other people are my belongings, so everyone else belongs too.

4. How does your persona connect with you?
It doesn't.


5. How have friends and relatives responded to your interests?
They didn't.
My one friend is fine with it, we already saw much worse stuff.

6. Are you spiritually drawn to a specific creature? If so, how?
Yes, to myself. I'm god. You're god. All humans are gods upon earth.

7. Through which medium of art do you often express yourself? Why?
Through posting bullshit, sending links to random videos, sprouting overrated memes and thinking I'm cool. I think that's my art.

8. How do you feel towards the negative images portrayed of the fandom?
They are all trolls who should die in hell!
I will rip off their flesh if I'll ever see them try to insult our fandom! They can't understand the complicity of the fandom.

9. Has being an active member of the fandom supported you emotionally?
It cannot support people emotionally, only ruin their lives.
People have to support themselves before they can allow others to support themselves.

10. Do you own a costume? Do you feel and think differently wearing it?
I once wanted to cosplay as cirno for a convention, but no, I never did own a costume, and I think it's usually pretty lame.
Only some people can make it look mediocre, or fine.

11. What elements from pop culture in specific do you think have influenced the fandom?
Nothing has influenced the fandom. Maybe trekkies, if at all.

12. Why do you consider yourself a furry in general?
I don't consider me a furry, but others will.

13. Has being an active member of the fandom resolved any personal issues in your life?
Nope, and it won't, and it also will not create any personal issue.

14. How important a role does art play in the furry fandom?
Art is very important. Furries always need something to fap at.

15. Would you consider your interests as part of a lifestyle?
Yes. My non - furry interests can easily turn into a semi lifestyle.

16. Do you consider your persona an actual part of you? How?
Yes, my brain created it, therefore it's a part of text mermory inside my brain, making it part of my brain - making it part of myself as a person.

17. What are your own impressions of the fandom?
First comment is fake and gay.

18. How does your persona relate to yourself?
No just gay.

19. Do you think the fandom is a close community or a distant one?
Inbetween. I don't know myself how close or distant it is - but the country of furries is pretty far away.

20. What would you do to change the general image of the fandom?
Dissolve it or make it even worse.

21. Do you think the fandom is any different to most subcultures? If so, why?
Nope. It's the same as most subcultures - art, porn, mainsites and conventions.

22. Do you often feel in touch with nature as a furry?
I want to burn every animal I see because of it.

23. What is an animal to you? Do you interpret them any differently to the norm?
An animal is not a rock, even if it resembles a rock.

24. If you had the chance to become your persona, would you take it?
I don't have a persona. If I could become something like that, the answer will be carelessly said at that certain time, but I can't decide right now.

25. What do you personally portray the fandom as?
What do you personally portray the fandom as?

 

[Enwon]

1. How did you come by the fandom?
Shitty webcomics.

2. What drew you into the group?
Drama.

3. Do you feel a sense of belonging?
In certain cliques of somewhat normal people.

4. How does your persona connect with you?
It doesn't.

5. How have friends and relatives responded to your interests?
They don't care, and neither do I.

6. Are you spiritually drawn to a specific creature? If so, how?
No.

7. Through which medium of art do you often express yourself? Why?
Visual and writing, because those are the mediums I enjoy creating.

8. How do you feel towards the negative images portrayed of the fandom?
Who honestly gives a fuck?

9. Has being an active member of the fandom supported you emotionally?
Yes, because I found some good friends in the community.

10. Do you own a costume? Do you feel and think differently wearing it?
No.

11. What elements from pop culture in specific do you think have influenced the fandom?
Any kids' cartoons with animals, which have influenced the fandom by giving furries more fap material.

12. Why do you consider yourself a furry in general?
Because I hang out in the community, post on the forums, and make some clean furry art.

13. Has being an active member of the fandom resolved any personal issues in your life?
No.

14. How important a role does art play in the furry fandom?
I don't consider porn art, so none.

15. Would you consider your interests as part of a lifestyle?
No. God no.

16. Do you consider your persona an actual part of you? How?
No.

17. What are your own impressions of the fandom?
A lot of perverted idiots and wierdos, but some cool people mixed in. Too much porn.

18. How does your persona relate to yourself?
If a photo of me is taken right, then I kinda resemble it.

19. Do you think the fandom is a close community or a distant one?
It's a moderately close community, with lots of close cliques and some people who just stand on the edge. It's kinda like high school, except nerdier.

20. What would you do to change the general image of the fandom?
Not act like a complete and total shithead in public.

21. Do you think the fandom is any different to most subcultures? If so, why?
No, not really. One of my weeaboo friends told me anime is just as bad. It's just another nerdy, perverted subculture for people to gather in.

22. Do you often feel in touch with nature as a furry?
I'm typing this answer while sitting in front of a computer, with my blinds closed to block out natural light, while listening to rock music:
No.

23. What is an animal to you? Do you interpret them any differently to the norm?
An animal is any organism in the Kingdom Animalia, which includes humans. So yeah, I interpret humans as also animals, which is different from the norm.

24. If you had the chance to become your persona, would you take it?
No.

25. What do you personally portray the fandom as?
A perverted, drama-filled place where hilarious stuff happens alot.

 

[Jude]

1. How did you come by the fandom?
I was browsing ED and actually decided to do some of my own research regarding the fandom.

2. What drew you into the group?
The fursuits and community.

3. Do you feel a sense of belonging?
Sure

4. How does your persona connect with you?
I'm too lazy/uncreative to make one.

5. How have friends and relatives responded to your interests?
My relatives don't know, my friends are like "That's pretty weird".

6. Are you spiritually drawn to a specific creature? If so, how?
I'm not spiritually drawn to anything.

7. Through which medium of art do you often express yourself? Why?
Music, because that's the only form of art I have talent in.

8. How do you feel towards the negative images portrayed of the fandom?
Who cares? Its not like its directly effecting me.

9. Has being an active member of the fandom supported you emotionally?
Not really.

10. Do you own a costume? Do you feel and think differently wearing it?
No, but I really want to. I'm sure I would.

11. What elements from pop culture in specific do you think have influenced the fandom?
Cartoons if anything.

12. Why do you consider yourself a furry in general?
Cause I browse a furry forum, and I want a fursuit.

13. Has being an active member of the fandom resolved any personal issues in your life?
Nope.

14. How important a role does art play in the furry fandom?
Very important. Without art, the fandom would be much smaller.

15. Would you consider your interests as part of a lifestyle?
Outside of the internet, this doesn't exist.

16. Do you consider your persona an actual part of you? How?
I don't have one.

17. What are your own impressions of the fandom?
Too many people are obsessed over the porn.

18. How does your persona relate to yourself?
I don't have one.

19. Do you think the fandom is a close community or a distant one?
Close for the most part.

20. What would you do to change the general image of the fandom?
Get rid the furverts and lifestylers. Actually, lifestylers are fine if they don't flaunt it in public.

21. Do you think the fandom is any different to most subcultures? If so, why?
Nah, its closely related to anime.

22. Do you often feel in touch with nature as a furry?
Furry has nothing to do with it.

23. What is an animal to you? Do you interpret them any differently to the norm?
Animals are neat little creatures that can also think and feel. I started liking animals a bit more after I joined the fandom, but not much differently than the norm.

24. If you had the chance to become your persona, would you take it?
Depends how human-like I still am. I'd still like to keep my thumbs and remain bipedal, thanks.

25. What do you personally portray the fandom as?
A dozen or so different groups of people that share a common interest in cartoon animals.

 

[Willow]

Was going to do this earlier

1. How did you come by the fandom?
-Primarily Gaia, then I did a little Google search

2. What drew you into the group?
-The anthro, seeing as how it's something I've been drawing for years

3. Do you feel a sense of belonging?
-Not entirely sure what this means, but sure?

4. How does your persona connect with you?
-I made him.

5. How have friends and relatives responded to your interests?
-They really don't care and/or are fine with it.

6. Are you spiritually drawn to a specific creature? If so, how?
-I'm not really spiritually draw to a specific creature. But I do experience phantom shifting every once in a while.

7. Through which medium of art do you often express yourself? Why?
-Drawing. I can never think of anything good to write and I have no mediums for making music. But I've been drawing for the longest time.

8. How do you feel towards the negative images portrayed of the fandom?
-I used to think they were pretty terrible, but after a while I just learned to laugh at them.

9. Has being an active member of the fandom supported you emotionally?
-Nope.

10. Do you own a costume? Do you feel and think differently wearing it?
-I do not have a suit but I'm thinking about making one in the future.

11. What elements from pop culture in specific do you think have influenced the fandom?
-Western cartoons (i.e. Looney Toons, Tex Avery, etc.), anime, and video games

12. Why do you consider yourself a furry in general?
-Yea?

13. Has being an active member of the fandom resolved any personal issues in your life?
-Not at all.

14. How important a role does art play in the furry fandom?
-It's not extremely important, but it's one of my hobbies.

15. Would you consider your interests as part of a lifestyle?
-Not exactly.

16. Do you consider your persona an actual part of you? How?
-Eh. He's a part of me just for the simple fact that I made him.

17. What are your own impressions of the fandom?
-Pretty cool at times, but can be pretty stupid.

18. How does your persona relate to yourself?
-I gave him some of my traits, kinda without realizing it though.

19. Do you think the fandom is a close community or a distant one?
-In between. I don't know many furs around my area.

20. What would you do to change the general image of the fandom?
-Get rid of the persecution complex. The fact that a lot of them take this too seriously. I could go on.

21. Do you think the fandom is any different to most subcultures? If so, why?
-Nope. It has its crazies, its kinks, and a lot of the things many other subcultures and fandoms have too.

22. Do you often feel in touch with nature as a furry?
-Never?

23. What is an animal to you? Do you interpret them any differently to the norm?
-Never really thought of this. People like to think of animals as beneath humans, but humans are animals too. Sometimes it's necessary to kill animals for survival, but beating animals that are otherwise defenseless against you is pretty terrible.

24. If you had the chance to become your persona, would you take it?
-Do I have the option of changing back too?

25. What do you personally portray the fandom as?
-A 40 year old virgin

 

[Leafblower29]

Edit: Some people didn't give serious answers and I want you to know I did.

1. How did you come by the fandom?
-I wanted to know why people hated furries.

2. What drew you into the group?
-Research

3. Do you feel a sense of belonging?
-I feel out of place because I'm not Gay/bi.

4. How does your persona connect with you?
-It fits perfectly to me.

5. How have friends and relatives responded to your interests?
-They don't realize it yet.

6. Are you spiritually drawn to a specific creature? If so, how?
-idk

7. Through which medium of art do you often express yourself? Why?
-Video I guess.

8. How do you feel towards the negative images portrayed of the fandom?
-I don't care. Not gonna let it ruin my fun.

9. Has being an active member of the fandom supported you emotionally?
-No. I'm straight.

10. Do you own a costume? Do you feel and think differently wearing it?
-Yes and no I don't feel any different.

11. What elements from pop culture in specific do you think have influenced the fandom?
-Disney and Pornography.

12. Why do you consider yourself a furry in general?
-Because I am.

13. Has being an active member of the fandom resolved any personal issues in your life?
-No I don't really have issues but being a furry has made my Life better.

14. How important a role does art play in the furry fandom?
-Visual expression.

15. Would you consider your interests as part of a lifestyle?
-No just a hobby.

16. Do you consider your persona an actual part of you? How?
-Yes because it is me.

17. What are your own impressions of the fandom?
-They seemed pretty normal, like they used an animal to represent an alter ego. but then they seemed to be very sexual.

18. How does your persona relate to yourself?
-It's based off of myself.

19. Do you think the fandom is a close community or a distant one?
-Skip

20. What would you do to change the general image of the fandom?
-Skip

21. Do you think the fandom is any different to most subcultures? If so, why?
-Of course it is or it wouldn't have its own name.

22. Do you often feel in touch with nature as a furry?
-No.

23. What is an animal to you? Do you interpret them any differently to the norm?
-Hmm now that I think about it........food.

24. If you had the chance to become your persona, would you take it?
-In a heartbeat. As long as can switch on command.

25. What do you personally portray the fandom as?
- A. People who use animals to represent an alter ego.
- B. A bunch of men who want to have sex with other men in fursuits.

 

[PoisonUnagi]

"4: How does your persona connect with you?"
"18: How does your persona relate to yourself?"

I'm sensing a pattern here...

 

[NA3LKER]

1. my friend kept calling me a furry as an insult, so i looked em up
2. uhh dunno
3. kinda
4. my fursona is not much like me, more like what i wanna be.
5. most of my friends dont really care, and my relatives dont know
6. im not really sure. i feel that i can connect with dragons and wolves, i think thats what you mean
7. writing
8. i think they are silly. but i can kind of see why people think that, because they dont understand
9. yeah, ive been happier since i discovered the fandom
10. no i dont have a costume, but i would quite like a tail
11. dunno
12. uhh, i like anthro creatures and art, and like picturing myself as them
13. no
14. i think its quite important
15. kinda
16. uhhhh
17. group of people with a common interest
18. uhhh
19. i dont think ive been in the fandom long enough to answer that, but from what ive seen, it varies
20. uhhh
21. yeah, we have alter egos that are anthro
22. i always used to feel kinda in touch with nature
23. i dunno. i tend to treat animals much the same as i treat humans.
24. yes, absolutely yes. life would be so much better if i had wings and a tail
25. anthro lovers?

 

[Commiecomrade]

[epic lulz]

This post is amazing.

 

[reaux]

1. How did you come by the fandom?
ljdrama.org, some drama about rose quoll selling some lj icons and people stealing them and stuff

2. What drew you into the group?
i liked the cartoon animal people.

3. Do you feel a sense of belonging?
sometimes

4. How does your persona connect with you?
she is me if i was a deerthing

5. How have friends and relatives responded to your interests?
my family thinks it's weird and funny, same for friends

6. Are you spiritually drawn to a specific creature? If so, how?
i don't feel my spirituality has anything to do with the furry fandom. they are separate things.

7. Through which medium of art do you often express yourself? Why?
digital, real media. because it's fun.

8. How do you feel towards the negative images portrayed of the fandom?
they are usually funny

9. Has being an active member of the fandom supported you emotionally?
i have made some good friends, so i guess that counts for emotional support

10. Do you own a costume? Do you feel and think differently wearing it?
i do, but i don't feel or think differently when wearing it.

11. What elements from pop culture in specific do you think have influenced the fandom?
...i have no idea

12. Why do you consider yourself a furry in general?
i like the artwork, go to meets and conventions, all that stuff

13. Has being an active member of the fandom resolved any personal issues in your life?
...no

14. How important a role does art play in the furry fandom?
i think art is kind of the basis for the fandom

15. Would you consider your interests as part of a lifestyle?
no, more of a hobby

16. Do you consider your persona an actual part of you? How?
no

17. What are your own impressions of the fandom?
it's fun, some furries are crazy and creepy but many are very nice

18. How does your persona relate to yourself?
see above

19. Do you think the fandom is a close community or a distant one?
um. varies i guess

20. What would you do to change the general image of the fandom?
nothing

21. Do you think the fandom is any different to most subcultures? If so, why?
no

22. Do you often feel in touch with nature as a furry?
no

23. What is an animal to you? Do you interpret them any differently to the norm?
it's an animal.

24. If you had the chance to become your persona, would you take it?
heck no

25. What do you personally portray the fandom as?
people who like cartoon animals

 

[lobosabio]

1. How did you come by the fandom?

I saw it on TV.

2. What drew you into the group?

It looked cool.

3. Do you feel a sense of belonging?

Yes, or else I wouldn't be here.

4. How does your persona connect with you?

Don't you mean fursona? If that's the case then it's more or less me if I was a furry character.

5. How have friends and relatives responded to your interests?

General apathy.

6. Are you spiritually drawn to a specific creature? If so, how?

If you'd asked me this five years ago I would have said yes. Now what draws me to the wolf is just a general fascination with the creature.

7. Through which medium of art do you often express yourself? Why?

Photography and writing because I stink at drawing.

8. How do you feel towards the negative images portrayed of the fandom?

I'm not surprised even in the least. I mean, we're dealing with news programs here. They tend to go out and find the worst of the worst and then make them seem like an average member of the group.

9. Has being an active member of the fandom supported you emotionally?

In a way, yes. Listening to furry podcasts and reading furry stories have helped to raise my spirits when I've been feeling depressed.

10. Do you own a costume? Do you feel and think differently wearing it?

I don't own a fursuit, per se, but I have worn a fox costume on a couple of occasion. Wearing one of those things is kind of like going on the internet. You've put on the mask of anonymity, which allows the true you to come out more.

11. What elements from pop culture in specific do you think have influenced the fandom?

Disney films spring to mind, along with other assorted things like Looney Toons.

12. Why do you consider yourself a furry in general?

Because I like anthropomorphic animals.

13. Has being an active member of the fandom resolved any personal issues in your life?

No.

14. How important a role does art play in the furry fandom?

Very. It's basically the lifeblood of the fandom.

15. Would you consider your interests as part of a lifestyle?

No, it's just another hobby to me.

16. Do you consider your persona an actual part of you? How?

Fursona. And no.

17. What are your own impressions of the fandom?

Like most fandoms there's drama and bickering and he said/she said crap flying around but if you get past that this fandom has all sorts of interesting stuff to give you.

18. How does your persona relate to yourself?

Again, fursona. And it's basically me as I would be if I were a furry.

19. Do you think the fandom is a close community or a distant one?

Close. Definitely close.

20. What would you do to change the general image of the fandom?

Just treat it as a hobby and not something special that should be held up and bragged about. Don't glorify the fact that you're a furry. It's not that important.

21. Do you think the fandom is any different to most subcultures? If so, why?

Yeah, I do. Unlike most fandoms furry doesn't have a central cannon on which to draw from. On top of that, a lot of the stuff floating around in this fandom was fandom made.

22. Do you often feel in touch with nature as a furry?

No, quite the reverse, in fact. I'm very much a city fur.

23. What is an animal to you? Do you interpret them any differently to the norm?

Animals are animals. And I include humans in that group. The more and more I learn about the natural world, the more and more ridiculous I find the idea of separating humans from the rest of the animals.

24. If you had the chance to become your persona, would you take it?

No. I'm happy with who I am right now.

25. What do you personally portray the fandom as?

A group of people who all share a common interest in anthropomorphic animals. Nothing more, nothing less.

 

[Whipblade]

1. How did you come by the fandom?
Directed here by a friend. I think it was Bitchwolf honestly.

2. What drew you into the group?
Just another place to plunk my art, without the screaming of draw something else.

3. Do you feel a sense of belonging?
No.

4. How does your persona connect with you?
nehhh... I don't have one.

5. How have friends and relatives responded to your interests?
'ooh look pretty art!' XD

6. Are you spiritually drawn to a specific creature? If so, how?

Rodents, currently rats.

7. Through which medium of art do you often express yourself? Why?

Traditional. My hands move the pencil much better then the mouse.

8. How do you feel towards the negative images portrayed of the fandom?
Laughable and ashamed at the same time.

9. Has being an active member of the fandom supported you emotionally?
... it kept me writing and managed to finish 1 fanfic.

10. Do you own a costume? Do you feel and think differently wearing it?
Several costumes. My favorite is the nurse ^_~ Fursuits? Nope.


11. What elements from pop culture in specific do you think have influenced the fandom?
90's cartoons.

12. Why do you consider yourself a furry in general?
I don't.

13. Has being an active member of the fandom resolved any personal issues in your life?
No. I didn't have any.
But it has brought me many distance friends and some I even share a close bond with.

14. How important a role does art play in the furry fandom?
Large like many other fandoms.


15. Would you consider your interests as part of a lifestyle?
No

16. Do you consider your persona an actual part of you? How?
Again... I don't have one.

17. What are your own impressions of the fandom?
It probably isn't in my best interest to answer this....

18. How does your persona relate to yourself?
... again...


19. Do you think the fandom is a close community or a distant one?
Some area's are closer than others.


20. What would you do to change the general image of the fandom?

No clue what or how to do. I'd just hope the darn TV would stop portraying bestiality and fur-suits as the core of it all.


21. Do you think the fandom is any different to most subcultures? If so, why?

No different then any other fandom I came across. Again the up and downs the favorites the, in this case, species bias.

22. Do you often feel in touch with nature as a furry?
... uhm... no?

23. What is an animal to you? Do you interpret them any differently to the norm?
No more than I have always had. Before coming here or after.

24. If you had the chance to become your persona, would you take it?
If I had one no bloody way.

25. What do you personally portray the fandom as?
A place that you can write and display art of non-human variety without getting the 'can't you draw something else' reaction.

 

[Aaros]

1. How did you come by the fandom?
I was on deviantart and some curries befriended me. Then, when I was interested in the idea of maybe doing commissioned art someday, I was informed that furaffinity was a good place to get popular.
2. What drew you into the group?
I like the art and the concept of anthros.
3. Do you feel a sense of belonging?
No, but I don't feel like an outcast either.
4. How does your persona connect with you?
It represents my imagination.
5. How have friends and relatives responded to your interests?
They don't know.
6. Are you spiritually drawn to a specific creature? If so, how?
Nope.
7. Through which medium of art do you often express yourself? Why?
I draw digital art because it's cheap. I'd like to learn to write sometime too.
8. How do you feel towards the negative images portrayed of the fandom?
A lot of it is true, however the fandom is divided onto many subgroups and nothing can be generalized. Many furries are messed up; I've also known many who aren't and who are fine people.
9. Has being an active member of the fandom supported you emotionally?
Not really, but it is fun.
10. Do you own a costume? Do you feel and think differently wearing it?
No.
11. What elements from pop culture in specific do you think have influenced the fandom?
I'm not sure exactly what this question means...
12. Why do you consider yourself a furry in general?
I like the art and I hang out on furry forums from time to time, that qualifies me.
13. Has being an active member of the fandom resolved any personal issues in your life?
No...
14. How important a role does art play in the furry fandom?
For me, art is the basis of my interest, and I think for a lot of curries the same is true, but there are those who are in it more for the community aspect (which I could never understand, given that the community, especially forums like this, is full of weirdos.)
15. Would you consider your interests as part of a lifestyle?
No.
16. Do you consider your persona an actual part of you? How?
Well, it's in my imagination, but not a part of my actual person, no.
17. What are your own impressions of the fandom?
The fandom is very complicated; there's and artistic side to it, the porn side, the Internet community side, the irl community side (people who go to furmeets and such) and more.
18. How does your persona relate to yourself?
It's a fictional character that I made that represents me and my imagination.
19. Do you think the fandom is a close community or a distant one?
It depends on how close to the fandom you want to be. There are people on all levels.
20. What would you do to change the general image of the fandom?
Eliminate the dramawhores, the assholes, the idiots of the fandom. That would help it a lot.
21. Do you think the fandom is any different to most subcultures? If so, why?
The fandom is larger than most, that's pretty much it.
22. Do you often feel in touch with nature as a furry?
That's not the kind of thing I think about with my character, so no.
23. What is an animal to you? Do you interpret them any differently to the norm?
What is the norm? I don't understand thr question.
24. If you had the chance to become your persona, would you take it?
No, unless a lot of circumstances drastically changed in ways they surely never will. So, nope.
25. What do you personally portray the fandom as?
A loose, massive group of people who like the concept of anthro, and the art and/or community built around the concept.

 

[Sigilgoat]

1. How did you come by the fandom?
My husband told me about the fandom originally, but I'd seen it around since I got on the internet 13 years ago.

2. What drew you into the group?
I'm an artist, there's fun characters to draw and I've always liked to draw my own so it all added up c:

3. Do you feel a sense of belonging?
I do, but it's mostly with a few people, not like...some warm fuzzy website hug or anything.

4. How does your persona connect with you?
She's fat, I'm fat. She's sassy, I'm sassy. I suppose all make a more "perfect" self for characters.

5. How have friends and relatives responded to your interests?
They usually laugh, shake their head, and move on to another topic.

6. Are you spiritually drawn to a specific creature? If so, how?
No clue. I think it's hard to feel spiritually connected to a goat.

7. Through which medium of art do you often express yourself? Why?
Digitally because it's easy and I don't waste any materials but time. I really like working with marker, bristol etc, but they're expensivo.

8. How do you feel towards the negative images portrayed of the fandom?
That we've brought it on ourselves and need to make sure there's more good examples of the fandom than bad.

9. Has being an active member of the fandom supported you emotionally?
Not really, I've got friends and family to do that, not a social circle.

10. Do you own a costume? Do you feel and think differently wearing it?
I'm about to have a kigu, but I don't think I'll like...RP or anything in it.

11. What elements from pop culture in specific do you think have influenced the fandom?
In specific? :B
I dunno, they have fox tails at Hot Topic now, you tell me.

12. Why do you consider yourself a furry in general?
I'd say so.

13. Has being an active member of the fandom resolved any personal issues in your life?
Becoming a full time artist was always a dream of mine, so it's done that. There's personal stuff I'm not going to get into here as well.

14. How important a role does art play in the furry fandom?
It's one of the only ways that people can show off their characters. Text is amazing and can tell a story but paintings, drawings, costume...visual medium is what the western world responds to best.

15. Would you consider your interests as part of a lifestyle?
Possibly? Though I'm sure if I suited more or had a spiritual aspect to my furry stuff, it'd be moreso.

16. Do you consider your persona an actual part of you? How?
I consider anything I create to be a part of me.

17. What are your own impressions of the fandom?
I think it's like any other fandom. There's people of all genders, races, religions and it's a weird sort of party to mix those all up.

18. How does your persona relate to yourself?
Not sure what this means.

19. Do you think the fandom is a close community or a distant one?
Depends on the person.

20. What would you do to change the general image of the fandom?
It's hypocritical to say "less sexual" since I draw porn for a living, but maybe "less slutty"

21. Do you think the fandom is any different to most subcultures? If so, why?
Nope. I think it just encompasses more than other fandoms. You've got inflation, then furry inflation. Adult Babies, then diaper furs. Furry is a giant venn diagram.

22. Do you often feel in touch with nature as a furry?
I feel in touch with nature as a living being?

23. What is an animal to you? Do you interpret them any differently to the norm?
What?

24. If you had the chance to become your persona, would you take it?
I like having top teeth.

25. What do you personally portray the fandom as?
A group of people who like funny animal heads.

 

[Synthfox303]

1. How did you come by the fandom?

RPing mostly

2. What drew you into the group?

Well, many things drew me into the fandom. First of all its very creative, and I love creating my own personas/fursonas. Ive also always been a fan of anthro video games, movies, media etc. Plus, Lifes pretty damn boring for me.

3. Do you feel a sense of belonging?

I feel welcome if thats what you mean.

4. How does your persona connect with you?

My fursona connects with me in many ways. Im quite an introverted, shy person. And with my fursona, online I get to be this hyperactive extrovert that I could never be in real life.

5. How have friends and relatives responded to your interests?

They don't care really, which is good.

6. Are you spiritually drawn to a specific creature? If so, how?

Im not spiritually drawn to anything really xD lol atheism

7. Through which medium of art do you often express yourself? Why?

Music, because there are so many soundscapes you can create...

8. How do you feel towards the negative images portrayed of the fandom?

They dont help. Since most people out there are retarded, can't do their own research and think for themselves, negative images dont help. Cos we get tards going "YIFF IN HELL"

9. Has being an active member of the fandom supported you emotionally?

Well, the friends ive gained from it have

10. Do you own a costume? Do you feel and think differently wearing it?

Well, not a fursuit. But ears and a tail. Its always fun putting them on xD

11. What elements from pop culture in specific do you think have influenced the fandom?

Anthro themed video games, movies etc like Disney, Starfox.

12. Why do you consider yourself a furry in general?

Because chickens

13. Has being an active member of the fandom resolved any personal issues in your life?

It makes me feel a bit happier on a day to day basis, it hasnt solved any issues but it makes solving them easier

14. How important a role does art play in the furry fandom?

A very important roll. And im not just talking about pictures, I mean every form of art (writing, fursuit building, music etc)

15. Would you consider your interests as part of a lifestyle?

Not really. Its just a hobby

16. Do you consider your persona an actual part of you? How?

Of course, its my creation.

17. What are your own impressions of the fandom?

Well its great, I love the fandom. But sadly alot of drama and weird fetishes spoil it

18. How does your persona relate to yourself?

His attitude :3

19. Do you think the fandom is a close community or a distant one?

LOL

20. What would you do to change the general image of the fandom?

Well id try to make it look less like a fetish and more like fun

21. Do you think the fandom is any different to most subcultures? If so, why?

Its not really any different to any other subculture out there. Its just fun, lol.

22. Do you often feel in touch with nature as a furry?

Sometimes

23. What is an animal to you? Do you interpret them any differently to the norm?

An animal is simply an animal. Thats the best thing about it, they arent anything special, just themselves, like all people should be.

24. If you had the chance to become your persona, would you take it?

Yes, who wouldnt? Id love to be anthro

25. What do you personally portray the fandom as?

A bunch of generally creative people who just like to have fun